Donald T. Aikens, 85, of Palm Springs CA passed away on June 27, 2016 at Desert Regional Medical Center. Born on June 17, 1931 in Los Angeles he was the only child of Edith and Clarence Aikens. He grew up in Glendale, CA where he graduated from Hoover High School. He earned his B.A. and M.A. from USC.
In 1959 Donald moved to Palm Springs after securing a new position with the Palm Springs Unified School District. Very soon he met Marjorie Conley, fellow new teacher with the District, and they married the following year. Donald's career in public education, as a teacher, counselor, administrator and elected school board member totaled 52 years. He was a school board member for thirteen years for the Palm Springs Unified School District, serving several terms as president. His school board involvement gave him a great sense of fulfillment. He was respected by his peers and fondly remembered by his students, a number of whom visited him in his hospital room during his recent illness.
Don traveled extensively throughout his life and had been around the world twice before moving to Palm Springs. He was an avid USC football fan who attended all home games and frequently traveled to see his favorite team compete around the country. He had a tremendous amount of sport's knowledge in his memory bank.
Don loved being with people and cherished his many friends. He was a longtime member and past president of the Palm Springs Rotary Club, a charter and founding member of the United Methodist Church of Palm Springs where he served as Lay Leader for many years and numerous other organizations throughout the years where he often served in leadership positions. Weekly lunch with Rotary members and his Tuesday lunch group friends were special times to him. Don attended school reunions and maintained friendships with many high school classmates. He had an impressive recollection of all of his students in his life. Don touched so many lives through his giving and service to the community he loved.
Don is survived by his wife Marjorie, his cousins Allen Sumner of Sacramento, Jeanne Zimmerman of Edmonton, Canada, David Smith of Winnepeg, Canada and Gary Crippin of Azerbaijan as well as Marjorie's family.
A special Thank You is extended to Dr. William Longfellow and Dr. Brahma Konda for their compassionate care of Donald.
(Obituary from The Desert Sun)
In 1959 Donald moved to Palm Springs after securing a new position with the Palm Springs Unified School District. Very soon he met Marjorie Conley, fellow new teacher with the District, and they married the following year. Donald's career in public education, as a teacher, counselor, administrator and elected school board member totaled 52 years. He was a school board member for thirteen years for the Palm Springs Unified School District, serving several terms as president. His school board involvement gave him a great sense of fulfillment. He was respected by his peers and fondly remembered by his students, a number of whom visited him in his hospital room during his recent illness.
Don traveled extensively throughout his life and had been around the world twice before moving to Palm Springs. He was an avid USC football fan who attended all home games and frequently traveled to see his favorite team compete around the country. He had a tremendous amount of sport's knowledge in his memory bank.
Don loved being with people and cherished his many friends. He was a longtime member and past president of the Palm Springs Rotary Club, a charter and founding member of the United Methodist Church of Palm Springs where he served as Lay Leader for many years and numerous other organizations throughout the years where he often served in leadership positions. Weekly lunch with Rotary members and his Tuesday lunch group friends were special times to him. Don attended school reunions and maintained friendships with many high school classmates. He had an impressive recollection of all of his students in his life. Don touched so many lives through his giving and service to the community he loved.
Don is survived by his wife Marjorie, his cousins Allen Sumner of Sacramento, Jeanne Zimmerman of Edmonton, Canada, David Smith of Winnepeg, Canada and Gary Crippin of Azerbaijan as well as Marjorie's family.
A special Thank You is extended to Dr. William Longfellow and Dr. Brahma Konda for their compassionate care of Donald.
(Obituary from The Desert Sun)
Donald T. Aikens, 85, of Palm Springs CA passed away on June 27, 2016 at Desert Regional Medical Center. Born on June 17, 1931 in Los Angeles he was the only child of Edith and Clarence Aikens. He grew up in Glendale, CA where he graduated from Hoover High School. He earned his B.A. and M.A. from USC.
In 1959 Donald moved to Palm Springs after securing a new position with the Palm Springs Unified School District. Very soon he met Marjorie Conley, fellow new teacher with the District, and they married the following year. Donald's career in public education, as a teacher, counselor, administrator and elected school board member totaled 52 years. He was a school board member for thirteen years for the Palm Springs Unified School District, serving several terms as president. His school board involvement gave him a great sense of fulfillment. He was respected by his peers and fondly remembered by his students, a number of whom visited him in his hospital room during his recent illness.
Don traveled extensively throughout his life and had been around the world twice before moving to Palm Springs. He was an avid USC football fan who attended all home games and frequently traveled to see his favorite team compete around the country. He had a tremendous amount of sport's knowledge in his memory bank.
Don loved being with people and cherished his many friends. He was a longtime member and past president of the Palm Springs Rotary Club, a charter and founding member of the United Methodist Church of Palm Springs where he served as Lay Leader for many years and numerous other organizations throughout the years where he often served in leadership positions. Weekly lunch with Rotary members and his Tuesday lunch group friends were special times to him. Don attended school reunions and maintained friendships with many high school classmates. He had an impressive recollection of all of his students in his life. Don touched so many lives through his giving and service to the community he loved.
Don is survived by his wife Marjorie, his cousins Allen Sumner of Sacramento, Jeanne Zimmerman of Edmonton, Canada, David Smith of Winnepeg, Canada and Gary Crippin of Azerbaijan as well as Marjorie's family.
A special Thank You is extended to Dr. William Longfellow and Dr. Brahma Konda for their compassionate care of Donald.
(Obituary from The Desert Sun)
In 1959 Donald moved to Palm Springs after securing a new position with the Palm Springs Unified School District. Very soon he met Marjorie Conley, fellow new teacher with the District, and they married the following year. Donald's career in public education, as a teacher, counselor, administrator and elected school board member totaled 52 years. He was a school board member for thirteen years for the Palm Springs Unified School District, serving several terms as president. His school board involvement gave him a great sense of fulfillment. He was respected by his peers and fondly remembered by his students, a number of whom visited him in his hospital room during his recent illness.
Don traveled extensively throughout his life and had been around the world twice before moving to Palm Springs. He was an avid USC football fan who attended all home games and frequently traveled to see his favorite team compete around the country. He had a tremendous amount of sport's knowledge in his memory bank.
Don loved being with people and cherished his many friends. He was a longtime member and past president of the Palm Springs Rotary Club, a charter and founding member of the United Methodist Church of Palm Springs where he served as Lay Leader for many years and numerous other organizations throughout the years where he often served in leadership positions. Weekly lunch with Rotary members and his Tuesday lunch group friends were special times to him. Don attended school reunions and maintained friendships with many high school classmates. He had an impressive recollection of all of his students in his life. Don touched so many lives through his giving and service to the community he loved.
Don is survived by his wife Marjorie, his cousins Allen Sumner of Sacramento, Jeanne Zimmerman of Edmonton, Canada, David Smith of Winnepeg, Canada and Gary Crippin of Azerbaijan as well as Marjorie's family.
A special Thank You is extended to Dr. William Longfellow and Dr. Brahma Konda for their compassionate care of Donald.
(Obituary from The Desert Sun)
