DON WEST––TRUE FRIEND, PASSIONATE ENTREPRENEUR, DEEP CHRISTIAN

BY TIM STOEN

It was not long after I arrived at Wheaton College in 1956 for my freshman year that I encountered a human dynamo named Don West.

We hit it off because we both loved politics. In 1959, when Eisenhower was still president, five of us political science majors got the privilege of going on a Washington Semester program. Don West, Dick Foushee, Bob Leinbach, Ray Petersen, and I went east to Washington, D.C. We personally met every type of notable, including Jimmy Hoffa. The whole experience was eye-opening and great fun.

After graduating in 1960, Don West and I migrated to California for law school. By then Don had married his college sweetheart, the lovely Bonita Behm. Don enrolled at the top-notch University of California, Berkeley, law school. One of his best classmate friends there was Pete Wilson, who went on to be a great governor of California–and a future business partner to Don.

Upon graduating from law school in 1963, Don was given a job with the prestigious Chicago law firm of Kirkland & Ellis. Law practice, however, was too tame a career for someone with great entrepreneurial passion like Don’s, so in 1969 he launched out to pursue that DNA calling. Competitive as ever, he found time to race his sailboat, the “Patriot,” on Lake Michigan. He went on to win a coveted race–a champion as always.

During the years between 1973 and 1988 I had the privilege of reconnecting with Don and Bonnie at their beautiful mansion in Lake Forest. In 1988, when I was going through a difficult time in my life, who came to see me in San Francisco to give me beautiful support? Don West, of course.

Thereafter, and with increasing frequency over the years, I would encounter on my voice mail the voice of “Don West.” He would call to see how I was doing, relate any news about our mutual friend Dick Foushee, and then share with me news of his latest project, such as, believe it or not, transporting pure water by tanker from Alaska to then drought-riven Southern California–Don having acquired exclusive rights to that huge volume of water!

Above all, Don West always kept his faith. He loved our Lord!

In sum, Don West was sui generis. I have never met anyone like him. What an honor it has been for me to call him “friend”!

Tim Stoen
Mendocino, California

Fun selfie with long time friend Kathryn A.

Christ is Risen! This reality is what provided much of the hope and faith that drove/inspired/guided my dad through his life...and now, it is our hope, that he is spending his eternity with Christ, his risen Lord who came so we might all experience eternal life with Him after this "bootcamp" life on earth. Sending love to all. In the spirit of my father- Becky/Joanna

Have known Don for 40+ years through our involvement in youth soccer, AYSO in particular. We remained friends throughout the years that ensued and met in various parts of the country at various soccer related conferences. Don always knew just where we could enjoy fine dining wherever we happen to be. We relied upon Don for that. Though the latter years of our friendship revolved mostly around email exchanges, I learned that Don had retired and was living in Statesville, NC. I had retired as well and was living in Tega Cay, SC, just an hour's drive to Statesville. After several telephone conversations, I paid Don a visit on Feb 4th of 2022 following which Don and I went to lunch and then spent the afternoon together reminiscing. We discussed getting together again in Charlotte, NC in April of that year, but for whatever reason, Don was unable to the function. So glad Don and I were able to reconnect in person in Statesville. Don has always been larger than life with incredible stories to tell. Miss you my friend.

Met Don over twenty years ago. Being a follower of Christ and an individual of interesting wisdom he was very charming. We had many enjoyable discussions on many topics. One of the most positive ( Can Do ) individuals I ever met. He was a why not person rather than a why person. And now my friend is singing with a heavenly choir. All things are possible with GOD. Don believed this very deeply. 

Dad's Choir robe put out as a sweet memorial on 1/15/2023. This is a tradition they have at his church when a choir member dies. They started the service that day with a nice memorial to dad per family request. It can be seen on Facebook on the church's timeline.

Enjoying a quick bite of dinner last November

Through soccer, I first met Don in 1990 while planning for the 1994 FIFA World Cup.  I was immediately drawn to his charisma and “can do” attitude.  I soon learned that he was also a great thinker.  We were friends for over 30 years.  I miss him. 

I lived next to Don over the past year and a half. He has been a new friend in my life since we lived in the same apartment building. I enjoyed many conversations with Don on various subjects, but I was most appreciative of his faith in Jesus Christ and our Lord God Almighty, Yahweh. I never had a wife or family, but I can see the full and happy life Don lived through this informative obituary. Beyond his career accomplishments, I now have a much broader view of Don's entire family.  Since I was born and raised in the neighboring state of Michigan, I feel a certain kinship to the geographical setting of the upper mid-west and the mindset of the whole culture that Don and his family thrived in.  It would have been great to have known Don better over the past decades - but my career required me to remain in California for 50 years. But I will have plenty of time to catch up with you, Don in God's eternal Kingdom of Heaven when I get there!  

I met Don at Second Presbyterian Church around 2008. We became friends and when we both lived in Chicago saw each other frequently, and after we both moved away talked weekly until his death. He was a very special person. I will always remember our time together. 

So sorry for your loss!!  Have not seen Don in recent years, but have fond memories of him in high school, and remember when he lived in Marina Towers when it was first built - Love and prayers are with all the family, Louise Ashby