Dr. Donald D. Fenwick

Donald Dean Fenwick
1938-1999

Donald Dean Fenwick was born on April 4, 1938 in Grant, Nebraska. He was the youngest of two sons born to Earl and Fanchon Sexson Fenwick. Don grew up in Grant and graduated from Perkins County High School in 1955.

After graduation, Don worked at the Grant Tribune Sentinel for three years. He began as an advertising salesman during the day and spent his evenings learning how to operate the linotype. When he had saved enough money, he started college at Dana then went to Sterling on a football scholarship.

He then attended Kearney State Teacher’s College where he received his bachelor’s degree in journalism and physical education. He went on to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln where he received a master’s and doctorate degree in psychology, studying under his advisor and mentor, Dr. William Hall.

Don worked for the Department of Defense Dependent Schools overseas from 1967 until 1994 as a psychologist in the European area, a Coordinantor of Pupil Personnel Services in the Mediterranean District, then as Special Education Coordinator in the Pacific Region. Countries in which he was stationed include England, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan and Okinawa.

He met Carolsue Roberts while working in Germany and they were married in Athens, Greece on June 30, 1973. They accepted early retirement in July 1994, moving to Loveland, Colorado where they lived for five years before Don’s fatal heart attack at age 61.

Don enjoyed traveling, experiencing new cultures and people, and shopping for a bargain. He loved football, especially the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and expressing his creativity through building, woodworking and landscaping. He was a great protector of gentle and good people as well as creatures great and small. He was a trusting and true friend to many. Dr. Jim Meehan, a colleague and friend wrote, “Don epitomized a gentle and generous giant of a man.”

Prepared by Carolsue Fenwick