Donald Williamson Decoster Jr. ’44

Born in St. Paul, Minn., he prepped at St. Paul Academy. At Princeton, he majored in politics, was a member of Tiger Inn, and roomed throughout his time at Princeton with his lifetime friend, John Doar. In a class poll, we voted him our “wittiest,” with the “best sense of humor” (which he never lost).  

After three years as a Navy flight instructor at Pensacola, he returned for his degree. Don wrote in our 60th-reunion book that he applied the lessons he learned racing sailboats on Minnesota lakes with a crew of younger brothers to a career in the lumber business. With three buddies, Don bought 192,000 acres of timberland in British Columbia and eventually built a retail business with nine stores in the upper Midwest that was a predecessor to Home Depot.  

Don and his wife, Carolyn, divided their time among Sanibel Island, Fla., St. Paul, and Madeline Island, Wis. Don kept his love of learning and laughter, even at himself. Besides Carolyn, Don is survived by his children, Alida DeCoster and her husband, Perry Beider, Claire DeCoster, and Donald W. DeCoster III; a sister, Elizabeth Moseley; stepchildren Nancy, Peter, Tom, and Amy Stahl; and two grandsons. We share their loss of such a spirit.