Donald Harris Sept died Sunday, June 26 at his home in Friday Harbor, Washington, just weeks shy of his 87th birthday.

Don Sept was born in Bismarck, North Dakota in 1929 and lived in the area until enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1946. He served his country as a member of the 88th Infantry Division in Trieste, Italy. The G.I. Bill allowed Don the opportunity to study Civil Engineering at the University of Colorado. He then moved to San Francisco where he met and married Joan Donaldson. Don worked for the Standard Oil Company of California, later known as Chevron, for nearly 35 years, with assignments that took him and his family to Central America, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium.

Many things brought Don joy. He loved his dogs. He loved learning. He loved the satisfaction of the finished task. Most of all he loved his family. Perhaps losing his own mother as a six-year old began his great ambition to cultivate a close, loving family himself. Don is survived by his wife Joan; his daughter Jeanne (and Martha) of Bloomington, Indiana; his sons Clark (and Julie) of Oakland California; Steven (and Rosilynn) of Cameron Park, California; and six beautiful grand-daughters: Annie, Amy, Simone, Allison, Emily and Amanda.

Don’s retirement years opened up the opportunity to live in beautiful places: Napa, California, Chipperfield, England, Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Friday Harbor, Washington. These years also allowed him to pursue his love of traveling, fine food and wines with Joan and other family members in Europe, especially in France and Italy.

Don had the remarkable ability to make something of the world every day. He engineered, wood-worked, cooked, repaired or designed whatever a day’s challenges required. By his loving heart, his keen mind and generous spirit, he made his family and the world a little bit better every day. We’re all going to miss him.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, Wash. and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Donald, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.