Donald Werner Gieschen
1924 - 2017
Gieschen, Donald Werner PhD
"Don" was born to the Rev. Gerhard Gieschen & Lucille Graber Gieschen on Apr. 23, 1924 in Wausau, WI. He grew up in the mid-west moving between several cities as his father was assigned new Lutheran congregations. Don was the oldest of 5 children followed by Roger, David, Eunice, and Gary. Following the outbreak of WWII, Don joined the US Navy in Dec. of 1943 and became a Naval Aviator. He learned to fly several different planes before becoming a Torpedo Bomber pilot. Don remained in the Navy until the Fall of 1946 serving with the occupying forces in Japan. He was proud of his time in the Navy though not talking much about it. When he did, it was usually a funny story like the time he accidentally shot a hole in the ceiling while training a junior officer on how to safely handle a .45 cal. Don was a humble man who appreciated others and could laugh at himself. Upon his discharge, he returned to college where he earned his BS in Philosophy in 1950 from Northwestern University. It was during this time he noticed a beautiful young woman by the name of Lorna Jeanne Garon working in a department store. Don & Lorna married and soon had their first daughter Janice, followed by Donald Paul, Ruth, and Andrew. While working & taking care of his young family he continued with his studies earning philosophy degrees, a Masters in 1953 followed by a PhD in 1962. He was hired by Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ in 1959 where he spent the 30 years teaching philosophy. A well respected professor, he published numerous papers and wrote the book "An Uncommon Conversation." After retiring Professor Emeritus, the ASU philosophy library was named after him. Don was a kind and gentle soul who never spoke unkind about others. He valued peace and love, instilling these values in his family. During the turbulent 60's & 70's he was active in the ACLU eventually becoming the Arizona president. He was a strong opponent of the Vietnam War and led campus demonstrations against it. As a Navy veteran, he recognized the military were instruments of the government and supported the troops while calling for their return. In 2014, Don and wife Lorna "Jeanne" moved to the Hillcrest in Loveland. Jeanne passed away in Feb. 2016 leaving Don alone & heartbroken after 64 years of marriage. For the next 18 months until his death he struggled to stay happy and make the best of life. He always had a smile for others & something nice to say. When down, he did his best not to let it show. Following recent surgery, he replied he had seen worse in the military when concern was expressed for his wellbeing. It was important to him that he was not a burden to others. He kept his sense of humor and continued to smile to the end. Predeceased by his parents, wife Jeanne, sister Eunice and granddaughter Katie. He is survived by 3 brothers, sons Donald P and Andrew (Linda) Gieschen, daughters Ruth (Jeff) Swanty and Janice Harrison. Grandchildren include Matt (Cally) Harrison, Tori (Reece) Young, Jennifer Swanty, Sarah (Brian) Kughman, Martin Andrew (Julie) Swanty, Alexandra Swanty, Hans Gieschen & Kali Gieschen. He also has 12 great grandchildren with many more to come. Cremation has been completed. Private family services will be held at a later date.
Published by The Arizona Republic on Jul. 14, 2017.
1924 - 2017
Gieschen, Donald Werner PhD
"Don" was born to the Rev. Gerhard Gieschen & Lucille Graber Gieschen on Apr. 23, 1924 in Wausau, WI. He grew up in the mid-west moving between several cities as his father was assigned new Lutheran congregations. Don was the oldest of 5 children followed by Roger, David, Eunice, and Gary. Following the outbreak of WWII, Don joined the US Navy in Dec. of 1943 and became a Naval Aviator. He learned to fly several different planes before becoming a Torpedo Bomber pilot. Don remained in the Navy until the Fall of 1946 serving with the occupying forces in Japan. He was proud of his time in the Navy though not talking much about it. When he did, it was usually a funny story like the time he accidentally shot a hole in the ceiling while training a junior officer on how to safely handle a .45 cal. Don was a humble man who appreciated others and could laugh at himself. Upon his discharge, he returned to college where he earned his BS in Philosophy in 1950 from Northwestern University. It was during this time he noticed a beautiful young woman by the name of Lorna Jeanne Garon working in a department store. Don & Lorna married and soon had their first daughter Janice, followed by Donald Paul, Ruth, and Andrew. While working & taking care of his young family he continued with his studies earning philosophy degrees, a Masters in 1953 followed by a PhD in 1962. He was hired by Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ in 1959 where he spent the 30 years teaching philosophy. A well respected professor, he published numerous papers and wrote the book "An Uncommon Conversation." After retiring Professor Emeritus, the ASU philosophy library was named after him. Don was a kind and gentle soul who never spoke unkind about others. He valued peace and love, instilling these values in his family. During the turbulent 60's & 70's he was active in the ACLU eventually becoming the Arizona president. He was a strong opponent of the Vietnam War and led campus demonstrations against it. As a Navy veteran, he recognized the military were instruments of the government and supported the troops while calling for their return. In 2014, Don and wife Lorna "Jeanne" moved to the Hillcrest in Loveland. Jeanne passed away in Feb. 2016 leaving Don alone & heartbroken after 64 years of marriage. For the next 18 months until his death he struggled to stay happy and make the best of life. He always had a smile for others & something nice to say. When down, he did his best not to let it show. Following recent surgery, he replied he had seen worse in the military when concern was expressed for his wellbeing. It was important to him that he was not a burden to others. He kept his sense of humor and continued to smile to the end. Predeceased by his parents, wife Jeanne, sister Eunice and granddaughter Katie. He is survived by 3 brothers, sons Donald P and Andrew (Linda) Gieschen, daughters Ruth (Jeff) Swanty and Janice Harrison. Grandchildren include Matt (Cally) Harrison, Tori (Reece) Young, Jennifer Swanty, Sarah (Brian) Kughman, Martin Andrew (Julie) Swanty, Alexandra Swanty, Hans Gieschen & Kali Gieschen. He also has 12 great grandchildren with many more to come. Cremation has been completed. Private family services will be held at a later date.
Published by The Arizona Republic on Jul. 14, 2017.
Donald Werner Gieschen
1924 - 2017
Gieschen, Donald Werner PhD
"Don" was born to the Rev. Gerhard Gieschen & Lucille Graber Gieschen on Apr. 23, 1924 in Wausau, WI. He grew up in the mid-west moving between several cities as his father was assigned new Lutheran congregations. Don was the oldest of 5 children followed by Roger, David, Eunice, and Gary. Following the outbreak of WWII, Don joined the US Navy in Dec. of 1943 and became a Naval Aviator. He learned to fly several different planes before becoming a Torpedo Bomber pilot. Don remained in the Navy until the Fall of 1946 serving with the occupying forces in Japan. He was proud of his time in the Navy though not talking much about it. When he did, it was usually a funny story like the time he accidentally shot a hole in the ceiling while training a junior officer on how to safely handle a .45 cal. Don was a humble man who appreciated others and could laugh at himself. Upon his discharge, he returned to college where he earned his BS in Philosophy in 1950 from Northwestern University. It was during this time he noticed a beautiful young woman by the name of Lorna Jeanne Garon working in a department store. Don & Lorna married and soon had their first daughter Janice, followed by Donald Paul, Ruth, and Andrew. While working & taking care of his young family he continued with his studies earning philosophy degrees, a Masters in 1953 followed by a PhD in 1962. He was hired by Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ in 1959 where he spent the 30 years teaching philosophy. A well respected professor, he published numerous papers and wrote the book "An Uncommon Conversation." After retiring Professor Emeritus, the ASU philosophy library was named after him. Don was a kind and gentle soul who never spoke unkind about others. He valued peace and love, instilling these values in his family. During the turbulent 60's & 70's he was active in the ACLU eventually becoming the Arizona president. He was a strong opponent of the Vietnam War and led campus demonstrations against it. As a Navy veteran, he recognized the military were instruments of the government and supported the troops while calling for their return. In 2014, Don and wife Lorna "Jeanne" moved to the Hillcrest in Loveland. Jeanne passed away in Feb. 2016 leaving Don alone & heartbroken after 64 years of marriage. For the next 18 months until his death he struggled to stay happy and make the best of life. He always had a smile for others & something nice to say. When down, he did his best not to let it show. Following recent surgery, he replied he had seen worse in the military when concern was expressed for his wellbeing. It was important to him that he was not a burden to others. He kept his sense of humor and continued to smile to the end. Predeceased by his parents, wife Jeanne, sister Eunice and granddaughter Katie. He is survived by 3 brothers, sons Donald P and Andrew (Linda) Gieschen, daughters Ruth (Jeff) Swanty and Janice Harrison. Grandchildren include Matt (Cally) Harrison, Tori (Reece) Young, Jennifer Swanty, Sarah (Brian) Kughman, Martin Andrew (Julie) Swanty, Alexandra Swanty, Hans Gieschen & Kali Gieschen. He also has 12 great grandchildren with many more to come. Cremation has been completed. Private family services will be held at a later date.
Published by The Arizona Republic on Jul. 14, 2017.
1924 - 2017
Gieschen, Donald Werner PhD
"Don" was born to the Rev. Gerhard Gieschen & Lucille Graber Gieschen on Apr. 23, 1924 in Wausau, WI. He grew up in the mid-west moving between several cities as his father was assigned new Lutheran congregations. Don was the oldest of 5 children followed by Roger, David, Eunice, and Gary. Following the outbreak of WWII, Don joined the US Navy in Dec. of 1943 and became a Naval Aviator. He learned to fly several different planes before becoming a Torpedo Bomber pilot. Don remained in the Navy until the Fall of 1946 serving with the occupying forces in Japan. He was proud of his time in the Navy though not talking much about it. When he did, it was usually a funny story like the time he accidentally shot a hole in the ceiling while training a junior officer on how to safely handle a .45 cal. Don was a humble man who appreciated others and could laugh at himself. Upon his discharge, he returned to college where he earned his BS in Philosophy in 1950 from Northwestern University. It was during this time he noticed a beautiful young woman by the name of Lorna Jeanne Garon working in a department store. Don & Lorna married and soon had their first daughter Janice, followed by Donald Paul, Ruth, and Andrew. While working & taking care of his young family he continued with his studies earning philosophy degrees, a Masters in 1953 followed by a PhD in 1962. He was hired by Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ in 1959 where he spent the 30 years teaching philosophy. A well respected professor, he published numerous papers and wrote the book "An Uncommon Conversation." After retiring Professor Emeritus, the ASU philosophy library was named after him. Don was a kind and gentle soul who never spoke unkind about others. He valued peace and love, instilling these values in his family. During the turbulent 60's & 70's he was active in the ACLU eventually becoming the Arizona president. He was a strong opponent of the Vietnam War and led campus demonstrations against it. As a Navy veteran, he recognized the military were instruments of the government and supported the troops while calling for their return. In 2014, Don and wife Lorna "Jeanne" moved to the Hillcrest in Loveland. Jeanne passed away in Feb. 2016 leaving Don alone & heartbroken after 64 years of marriage. For the next 18 months until his death he struggled to stay happy and make the best of life. He always had a smile for others & something nice to say. When down, he did his best not to let it show. Following recent surgery, he replied he had seen worse in the military when concern was expressed for his wellbeing. It was important to him that he was not a burden to others. He kept his sense of humor and continued to smile to the end. Predeceased by his parents, wife Jeanne, sister Eunice and granddaughter Katie. He is survived by 3 brothers, sons Donald P and Andrew (Linda) Gieschen, daughters Ruth (Jeff) Swanty and Janice Harrison. Grandchildren include Matt (Cally) Harrison, Tori (Reece) Young, Jennifer Swanty, Sarah (Brian) Kughman, Martin Andrew (Julie) Swanty, Alexandra Swanty, Hans Gieschen & Kali Gieschen. He also has 12 great grandchildren with many more to come. Cremation has been completed. Private family services will be held at a later date.
Published by The Arizona Republic on Jul. 14, 2017.
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