I remember Don with a cigarette in one hand and a beer in the other, not only at Club events but on the tennis courts as well. I also remember Don having a smile on his face and rarely, if ever, saw him lose his temper while on the court.
He also was a very devoted member of The Olympic Club Foundation and contributed greatly to it's early success.
The Club lost one of the good guys when we lost Don.
The beer he drank was always Coors. He'd walk onto the court with a can of Coors and a lit cigarette in one hand, tennis racquet in the other. He'd put his racquet down, take a nice draught of cold beer, a big draw on the cigarette then set down the can and carefully place the not-yet-finished cigarette on top of the can. He'd pick up his tennis racquet and serve 'em up.
At the change-over, if the cigarette still had some 'life to it' he'd repeat the two-fold process.
After a set, a fresh cigarette was in order. I don't recall if another beer entered into the equation.
He was funny and gracious on the court and also on the golf course. If you hit a shank ball 20 yards he'd laugh and his comment always was "Well, you advanced the ball!"
He was also extremely proud of his California heritage. I am unsure of which organization he was very active in - California Historical Society or the Society of California Pioneers. The daughters can clear up that issue.
There was no one quite like Don. Perhaps everyone should purchase a cold Coors in his honor and have a toast!
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