Donald ‘Don’ Gene Wold, 75, of Oak Harbor, died Jan. 14, 2006 at Fidalgo Care Center in Anacortes. He was born April 14, 1930 in Spring Valley, Ill., the son of Christian and Thelma (Mowell) Wold. Don graduated from East High School in Rockford, Ill., where he was an active member of the ROTC. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War on the destroyer USS Porter, as well as in Trinidad.
He graduated from the University of Tulsa in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, and also earned an MBA from the University of Chicago, Executive Program, in 1970. While attending the University of Tulsa, he met Rebecca A. Wollert and they were married in Bartlesville, Okla., in 1957.
Don was employed with Skelly Oil in Tulsa and TRW Computers in Canoga Park, Calif., and Chicago. He was the assistant to the president at Universal Oil Products in Des Plaines, Ill. During this time he traveled extensively in Europe and the Middle East for the company. In 1976 he went to work for the State of Alaska as an executive director of the Royalty Oil and Gas Advisory Board. At his retirement in 1992, he was serving as Special Assistant to Mayor Tom Fink in Anchorage.
Don and Becky moved to Oak Harbor in 1995 to be near their children and grandchildren. He enjoyed camping for many years and was known for his blueberry pancakes and barbecued chicken. While in Alaska, he enjoyed his boat, Featherstar, on Prince William Sound. Following retirement, he and Becky traveled the western states in their 5th wheel. Don was content to work on his apple trees and blueberry bushes and enjoyed spending time with his family. He had a quiet, but firm faith in Jesus, and was a member of the Oak Harbor Lutheran Church. He is now at home with the Lord.
The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff of Skilled Nursing at Fidalgo Care Center for their compassionate care of Don the past two months. Don is survived by his wife of 48 years, Becky; son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Carrie Wold of Snohomish; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Grant Stevens of Bellingham; grandchildren, Katie Wold of Seattle and Aaron, Rachel, Nathan, and Joshua Stevens of Bellingham; brother, Christian Wold of Tequesta, Fla.; and sister, Odessa Dahlgren of Rockford, Ill.
A memorial service was held Jan. 20 at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church in Oak Harbor. Interment will be at Scandinavian Cemetery in Rockford, Ill. on Jan 23. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Anacortes. To share memories of Don, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.
