On
April 18 I received an email from Don Damoth's daughter, Becky. Here
is what she had to say.published in the SNU newsletter May 2015
On
April 18 I received an email from Don Damoth's daughter, Becky. Here
is what she had to say.
My father passed away on April 12 while riding his bike with my brother Paul. He was riding happily and having a great time, laughing with my brother when he was stricken by a heart attack. He had just had a wonderful birthday party with family and friends the day before when he turned 80. He had an incredible life and enjoyed having adventures with many of you. His friends enhanced his life and he told us many stories about his life with you.
Don and his wife Mary Lou were avid Airstreamers
and long time SNU members. Their three kids grew up traveling in
Airstreams. Don served in various board positions with the SNU,
including president in 2006. He was also editor of the newsletter for
many years. Don and Mary Lou were instrumental in helping the SNU
through some rough years. In 2002 the SNU had only 3 active members.
It was Don & Mary Lou, along with Fred & Ann Hersey and Bryan
& I, who decided we liked camping together with our Airstreams so
we'd keep on going and see what might happen. At that time the only
suggestions given to the SNU were to fold or merge with another Unit.
We all felt neither of those were viable options. It was Don and Mary
Lou who suggested Twin Lakes as a rally site. The SNU held several
very successful rallies there. Don and Mary Lou also organized
an SNU picnic at Spooner Lake. One year they hosted a special
Christmas celebration at their house. Don was the one that created
the SNU logo for the 30th Anniversary of the Unit. Don provided us
with a little excitement at a rally at Boca Springs in 2005. He was
gathering fire wood when a freak accident severely cut his thumb.
Bryan took him and Mary Lou to the hospital in Truckee where a
surgeon who was very familiar with hands and other body parts being
cut by snow blowers, had just the expertise needed to fix Don right
up. Bryan brought Don and Mary Lou back to Boca Springs and they
enjoyed the rest of the rally.
Don and Mary Lou had moved
from Reno to Henderson, NV a few years ago to be closer to their
daughter. They still kept in touch with Don's annual Christmas
letter. This picture of Mary Lou and Don was taken in March 2015. Don
and Mary Lou were high school sweethearts. They celebrated their 50th
wedding anniversary in 2008. Don will be greatly missed by his family
and by his many friends including those in the SNU.
Don and Mary Lou’s travelogue -|- photo gallery – Remembering Don and Mary Lou