Donald Wayne Rutan, 76, died at his home in Eureka, with his Bettie by his side, Monday, July 14, 2008 following a courageous battle against cancer.

Born Aug. 7, 1931 in Tuscola, Ill., Don spent his childhood and early adult years in the Midwest. Don’s love for music materialized at a young age as he learned to play his father’s baritone and enjoyed playing in an ensemble with several friends from Tuscola High School. He was actively involved in DeMolay, and served as his club’s state representative. His membership marked the beginning of a life dedicated to civil service, leadership, and honor, and his service as a DeMolay Dad after graduation helped other young men grow into responsible, honorable community leaders. He graduated from Tuscola High School in 1949 in a tight-knit group, known fondly as the Forty-niners, who hold each other close to this day.

In 1953, Don followed his father into the Tuscola Masonic Lodge #332 and was proud of the fifty-year pin he received in recognition of his lifelong affiliation and commitment to the values and ethics of a Mason. In addition to his formal Masonic membership, the respect and love he bore for all people affected everyone he encountered. He never met a person he wasn’t interested in getting to know and everyone who met him enjoyed the company of a true gentleman.

After high school, Don served in the Illinois National Guard followed by active duty as a weapons instructor in the U.S. Army. Attaining the rank of Master Sergeant in the 44th Infantry Division, Don served during the Korean Conflict from 1951 to 1953. Always a sports enthusiast and great baseball fan, Don played catcher for his company’s team, which won the title of regimental champions. He held fond memories of his teammates and years in the service, which he shared with his family through the next five decades. He continued to harbor great respect for his fellow servicemen throughout his life and for all troops in the U.S. military.

Don returned to school at Tri-State University in Angola, Ind., where he earned his degree in Civil Engineering in 1956. While attending Tri-State, Don was an officer in Sigma Mu Sigma, a Masonic-based fraternity, whose membership was based on sincerity, morality, scholarship, and patriotism - all core values that defined his life.

After graduation, Don enjoyed a long and successful career, not only as a civil engineer but also a registered land surveyor in Illinois and California. In his career which spanned over 50 years, he began as a consulting and design engineer in the construction field, eventually using his talents as an estimator, surveyor, project manager, and superintendent, primarily in pipeline construction. He founded and ran his first company, Rutan Construction, in Santa Cruz, Calif., from 1970 to 1976. After a 10-year break from operating his own business, he founded and operated his second company, Rutan Surveying out of Sacramento, Calif. for more than twenty years. During his career, Don bid, built, and ran a variety of construction jobs all over the state of California and western Nevada. He worked with many who became close friends and mentored numerous young engineers and contractors just starting their careers. Don enjoyed crossing paths with colleagues and crews throughout the years, who in turn looked forward to catching up on news from “the Silver Fox.”

In addition to his work, Don was an avid reader and self-taught historian. Although he was particularly interested in the American Civil War, he was always well versed in current events and enjoyed watching history unfold. His sharp wit and crafty sense of humor made him an excellent cribbage instructor and formidable opponent. Simple pleasures in life, like watching the birds in his birdbath and many feeders, also brought quiet joy and delight.

Throughout his life, Don continued playing, enjoying, and discovering new music, and looked forward to traveling to concerts and jazz festivals with his wife and number one dance partner, Bettie. Don and Bettie also enjoyed many other travel adventures through the years, some to far away places and others closer to home to visit friends and spoil their grandkids with hugs, kisses, and candy. Don, or “Papa Fox” to the grandkids, also enjoyed visits from his grandchildren in his Sacramento home. He loved animals, dogs and horses in particular, and frequently treated the grandkids to backyard riding lessons on one of his three horses. Don was blessed with the joy of holding our family’s most recent gift, newborn great-grand baby twins, this June. His grandchildren were their Papa’s special light, and watching their futures unfold was his deepest interest.

Despite all of his formal involvement through school groups, church, clubs and societies, the military, and engineering career, Don’s biggest impacts arise from the love shared with his family and friends. We were blessed to have him as our compassionate husband, brother, father, grandfather, and friend.

Don is survived by his beloved Wife Bettie Rutan of Eureka, Calif., Brothers: Dale Rutan of Mt. Vernon, Wash., Dan Rutan and wife Vickie of Santa Cruz, Calif., Pete Bailey and wife Barbara of Eureka, Calif., Tom Bailey and wife Sharon of Canyonville, Ore.; Daughters: Cynthia Rutan of Capitola, Calif., Brenda Yarnall and husband Jim of Eureka, Calif., Pamela McNaughton and husband Peter of Nova Scotia, Canada, Daphne Aguilar and partner Jim Haas of Austin, Texas; Grandchildren: Justin Rutan of Kuwait City, Kuwait, Brent Gaylord and wife Bekah of the USAF, Kaitlin Yarnall of Washington, D.C., Ryan Gaylord and wife Nathalie of Jacksonville, Fla., Morgan Aguilar and partner Chris Goncalves of Sacramento, Calif., Megan Yarnall of Eugene, Ore., Michael Christian Rutan of Milpitas, Calif., Cerena Barros of Capitola, Calif., and Great-Grandchildren Romeo and Alina Goncalves and Douglas and Sophie Gaylord. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and too many dear friends to begin to list.

He was preceded in death by his son Michael Kent Rutan, who he looked forward to being with again. We draw comfort in knowing they are together in the Lord’s loving arms.

Don taught us many things, but perhaps never more than in his final fight. He modeled how to live well: no whining, say I love you at every opportunity, pray hard, smile and laugh as much as possible, and never ever give up. Our family is thankful for the excellent care he received from the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Tulsa, Oklahoma and locally from Dr. Uma, Nanette, Leanne, and the kind nurses at Eureka Internal Medicine.
A celebration of Don’s life will be held Tuesday, July 29 from 3 to six o’clock in the evening at the Wharfinger Building, #1 Marina Way, Eureka, California. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 2425 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817 or to the California Scottish Rite Scholarship Foundation, 2455 Masonic Drive, San Jose, CA 95125.

Arrangements are under the care of Pierce Mortuary, 707 H Street, Eureka, CA.