FREEMAN, Donald John (November 9, 1939—November 21, 2017)

Donald Freeman was born in Des Moines, Iowa and finished high school in Mission, Kansas. He served on the staff of the College radio station, KGRW, and on the Informal Social Committee and was a member of the Young Democrats and the Math and Pre-Law clubs. For his first three years he was a resident of South Younker Hall and a member of its House Council. His senior year Donald moved to the new East Norris Hall as its President and thereby a member of the Council of House Presidents (CofHP). Don was awarded his B.A. degree with Honors in Biology, Phi Beta Kappa, in June 1961.

The next four years he was at Michigan State University (MSU), where he earned a M.A. degree in 1962 and pursued the Ph.D. in Educational Psychology. In 1965-66 he was an Instructor, Department of Educational Psychology at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He then returned to Michigan State University to obtain the Ph.D. in 1967 and to serve as an Assistant and then Associate and full Professor in its College of Teacher Education until 1989. During those years he aided many students and colleagues as a Senior Researcher, Institute of Research on Teaching, as a classroom teacher and as a mentor of young professionals. Donald also started publishing books and articles in his field.

While at MSU, Donald also was active in the Big Brothers organization and developed a close friendship with his “brother” and his wife and kids. He also found time to supervise student teachers in England at the U.S. Air Force base in Lakenheath and to teach in Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia.

In 1989 Donald and family moved to Mesa, Arizona, where he became Associate Dean and Professor in the College of Education at Arizona State University. He was Co-Coordinator of the Apprentice Teacher Program and the Scales Professional Development School. Especially meaningful and rewarding for him was his work with the Dine College of the Navajo Nation. He retired from ASU in 2001.

In 1964 he married Kathleen Margaret Smith, and they had two sons, Michael Jon and Daniel James, the latter of whom is also a Grinnell graduate (’93). After a divorce, Donald married Cheryl Martin in 1977, and they also had a son, Scott Thomas.

Don loved to travel, work outdoors, build furniture and enjoy art and music. Dancing, singing and watching his kids play sports were other favorite activities. His family was very important and he always made time to attend family reunions.

Donald died after a 16-year struggle with dementia and is survived by his wife Cheryl, sons Michael (Pat), Daniel (Jill) and Scott (Cindy), seven grandchildren and many friends.

Duane W. Krohnke