note: This write up is part of an email Pam Peters (Don's sister) sent to me to post about "Donnie" in response to my sending him photo copies of a note he made in my yearbook and my contacting his mother when Don's father passed away a number of years ago...
Hi Leigh,
I so appreciate you sending me a copy of Donnie’s inscription in your 1966 yearbook. Seeing his beautiful penmanship after all those years made me cry; as I always thought he would have made such an excellent draftsman. Seeing it also brought back many sweet memories and smiles. I will pass this on to his daughter, Kerry, who certainly will treasure them. Kerry was only six months old when Donnie was killed in a head-on car crash by a drunk driver on June 19, 1969, less than five miles from his home in Waldorf, MD. Although Kerry never got to know her father, he was totally smitten with his tiny princess. She has many of his mannerisms and his great smile, and cherishes all stories about him. Fortunately, Donnie had finally found his niche in life, had a beautiful wife and daughter, and was doing well in the Navy while stationed at Patuxent Naval Base, specializing in aviation electronics. He and his wife, Judy Wheeler Scott, (Severna Park High School, Class of 1967), lived in Waldorf, MD. He was preparing to ship out to Spain with the Navy the following day, but the accident cut short his dreams, goals and life at 20 years old. Perhaps it’s true, that “only the good die young”; there is no other reasoning in my mind.
My mom was very touched by your thoughtful note, albeit somewhat belated (by 40 YEARS, LOL!) We're all still grateful for any shared tidbits from people remembering Donnie; he was a good soul and not easily forgotten. I remember when Donnie and I were young, I thought he was the most handsome guy around. But I also knew his weaknesses and somewhat blundering ways, which made me sometimes feel sorry for him. (Growing up without a male role model in our house was difficult for him). As a grade schooler, I thought I would probably have to marry him myself, as I assumed no other female would ever be able to stand him!! He was the oldest of 23 grandchildren (on our mom’s side), in our very close knit, extended West Annapolis family. As children, he teased us, scared us,and played pranks on us constantly; but also protected us and was very much loved and looked up to by all of the cousins. His passing devastated the whole family, young and old, but he still remains a champion in our family!
I really do appreciate you taking the time to add some footnotes to his legacy. I’ve shared your "UBS" story <I'll add that in a separate post - Leigh> with many of my relatives, who really needed a smile this year. It's been a tough year for us, with two of my aunts, as well as my dad passing away recently. So thank you for your unwittingly comforting timing and words. Best regards to the AHS Class of 1966!
Pam wrote me, "I do appreciate the opportunity to “tell his story”, and offering a spot in his memory with the AHS Class of 1966. This has ultimately been a rather cleansing and uplifting time of reflection for me".
For those of us who are fortunate enough not to have suffered the loss of a sibling or child, the lesson I, and perhaps we all, can take from this is that any seemingly insignificant, loving memory can be a small treasure to the family.
So here's my "UBS" story (I'll be intersted to see if Dorthea remembers it the same way, or at all!).
... My “memory” is of a crush Dorthea (Missy) Derickson and I had on Donnie — it was such a silly schoolgirl thing. Dorthea and I decided that we would form a “society” of just us and call it Upsilon Beta Sigma for "UnButtoned Sleeves”. I remember him always being happy and wearing pastel oxford shirts (which were then in style I guess) with, of course, the sleeves unbuttoned. Sent Pam a photocopy of a yearbook inscription which talked about a “bet”. I don't have a clue about the bet that led him to owe me a date mentioned in the yearbook inscription, but I never got to go out with him. Still, I enjoyed knowing him and always liked him.
Elizabeth Leigh Divine (Gruber)
note: This write up is part of an email Pam Peters (Don's sister) sent to me to post about "Donnie" in response to my sending him photo copies of a note he made in my yearbook and my contacting his mother when Don's father passed away a number of years ago...
Hi Leigh,
I so appreciate you sending me a copy of Donnie’s inscription in your 1966 yearbook. Seeing his beautiful penmanship after all those years made me cry; as I always thought he would have made such an excellent draftsman. Seeing it also brought back many sweet memories and smiles. I will pass this on to his daughter, Kerry, who certainly will treasure them. Kerry was only six months old when Donnie was killed in a head-on car crash by a drunk driver on June 19, 1969, less than five miles from his home in Waldorf, MD. Although Kerry never got to know her father, he was totally smitten with his tiny princess. She has many of his mannerisms and his great smile, and cherishes all stories about him. Fortunately, Donnie had finally found his niche in life, had a beautiful wife and daughter, and was doing well in the Navy while stationed at Patuxent Naval Base, specializing in aviation electronics. He and his wife, Judy Wheeler Scott, (Severna Park High School, Class of 1967), lived in Waldorf, MD. He was preparing to ship out to Spain with the Navy the following day, but the accident cut short his dreams, goals and life at 20 years old. Perhaps it’s true, that “only the good die young”; there is no other reasoning in my mind.
My mom was very touched by your thoughtful note, albeit somewhat belated (by 40 YEARS, LOL!) We're all still grateful for any shared tidbits from people remembering Donnie; he was a good soul and not easily forgotten. I remember when Donnie and I were young, I thought he was the most handsome guy around. But I also knew his weaknesses and somewhat blundering ways, which made me sometimes feel sorry for him. (Growing up without a male role model in our house was difficult for him). As a grade schooler, I thought I would probably have to marry him myself, as I assumed no other female would ever be able to stand him!! He was the oldest of 23 grandchildren (on our mom’s side), in our very close knit, extended West Annapolis family. As children, he teased us, scared us,and played pranks on us constantly; but also protected us and was very much loved and looked up to by all of the cousins. His passing devastated the whole family, young and old, but he still remains a champion in our family!
I really do appreciate you taking the time to add some footnotes to his legacy. I’ve shared your "UBS" story <I'll add that in a separate post - Leigh> with many of my relatives, who really needed a smile this year. It's been a tough year for us, with two of my aunts, as well as my dad passing away recently. So thank you for your unwittingly comforting timing and words. Best regards to the AHS Class of 1966!
Pam (Scott) Peters
Elizabeth Leigh Divine (Gruber)
Pam wrote me, "I do appreciate the opportunity to “tell his story”, and offering a spot in his memory with the AHS Class of 1966. This has ultimately been a rather cleansing and uplifting time of reflection for me".
For those of us who are fortunate enough not to have suffered the loss of a sibling or child, the lesson I, and perhaps we all, can take from this is that any seemingly insignificant, loving memory can be a small treasure to the family.
So here's my "UBS" story (I'll be intersted to see if Dorthea remembers it the same way, or at all!).
... My “memory” is of a crush Dorthea (Missy) Derickson and I had on Donnie — it was such a silly schoolgirl thing. Dorthea and I decided that we would form a “society” of just us and call it Upsilon Beta Sigma for "UnButtoned Sleeves”. I remember him always being happy and wearing pastel oxford shirts (which were then in style I guess) with, of course, the sleeves unbuttoned. Sent Pam a photocopy of a yearbook inscription which talked about a “bet”. I don't have a clue about the bet that led him to owe me a date mentioned in the yearbook inscription, but I never got to go out with him. Still, I enjoyed knowing him and always liked him.