Don was a New Yorker born and bred. He departed for a few years to the Taft School, graduating in 1956 after sharpening his golf, hockey, and skiing skills. Following his brother Bob ’52 to Princeton, he wrote his thesis on the NYSE specialist system and carried on with his athletic pursuits. He was a keen poker player, which he pursued at Tiger Inn or wherever there was a game.
Upon graduation, Don joined the specialist firm Wagner Stott & Co. He earned an MBA at the Wharton School and served in the Air Force Reserve from 1962 to 1968, where he earned the rank of staff sergeant. He became a partner of Wagner Stott in 1963; he went on to become the senior managing partner and led the firm through substantial and successful initiatives as the securities markets evolved during his career.
Don supported numerous charitable interests generously with both his service and his fortune. His extracurricular interests expanded to include big-game fishing, especially bluefin tuna, worldwide. When not at sea he assembled a collection of Burgundy wines described by Sotheby’s as the most important private collection ever to be offered by a private party.
Don passed away on Christmas Day 2020, leaving his stepson and two step-grandchildren.