Donald E. Zugby

Don Zugby died on April 8, 2025 and the world is poorer for it. He had prostate cancer for a few years, but it was a heart attack that finally got him. Don was a very logical, brilliant, practical guy, a systems engineer and Department Head at The MITRE Corporation until his retirement, but he also believed in reincarnation. Go figure.

He emphasized hard work and earning your way in life, but he also understood that “stuff happens” sometimes, so he always carried extra cash in his wallet and in his car in case he might see someone who needed a boost. Don didn’t suffer fools gladly, as the saying goes, but if you were sincere he would be your friend for life.

Those of us left include Don’s wife Kathie Sowell, their Calico cat Annamae, Don’s brother Bob (Dea) and his daughter Kristina, Kathie’s daughter Shelley (Ed) and Don’s step children from his previous marriage to Kay – Cherie, Scott (April), and Todd. Also, several golf buddies and friends, some of whom he had known since high school, and our good friend Javier (Anik).

Kathie is especially going to miss collapsing into helpless hilarity at his deadpan humor that weirdly, and probably uniquely in the world, coincided with hers.

Those of us who knew him are feeling kind of sorry for ourselves right now. But if you didn’t get to know him, we also feel sorry for you. Good bye, Don! Hope you were right about reincarnation.