Donald Hugh Bolander

Donald H. Bolander passed away Oct. 16, 2008 after a 28-year battle with Parkinson's disease. Don spent his entire career with the U.S. Forest Service. The last 12 years, from 1974 until his retirement in June 1986, he was Supervisor of the Prescott National Forest. Don was born April 16, 1931 in Santa Fe, N.M. to Emma Ruth (Beiler) and Archie Bolander. His father Archie also spent 30 years in the Forest Service, all of it on the Carson National Forest in northern New Mexico. Don grew up in Taos and graduated from Taos High School. He attended the University of New Mexico two years, and then transferred to Utah State University in Logan, Utah where he graduated with a degree in Range Management. Following college, Don spent two years in the U.S. Army, the last year in England. When he returned, his Forest Service career took him to the Carson National Forest in New Mexico, the Coconino, Kaibab, Tonto and Prescott forests in Arizona and the Sequoia and Modoc in California. He also spent six years in the Regional Office in San Francisco. Don married Lula in November 1960 while living in Globe, Ariz. They had one daughter Bonnie. They were divorced in 1976. He married Katherine Hardisty in 1978. Don was a member of the Prescott Rotary club, past member of the Board of Directors of the Salvation Army, Yavapai County Agricultural Extension Service, a long time member of the Society for Range management and past president of the Arizona section. He was a charter member and was active in the Parkinson's Support group along with his wife Kay for over 20 years. Don loved fly-fishing and he and Kay caught numerous trout in most of the streams of the western states. He was an expert skier, having grown up skiing with his family in northern New Mexico. He was New Mexico downhill champion in high school and college. He and Kay enjoyed many years of RV traveling, camping and fishing. Don is survived by his wife Kay; daughter Bonnie and her husband Russell Driskell of Taos, N.M.; step daughter Holly and family; brother Lloyd and wife Olive; niece Susan and husband Bill Leslie; nephew Bruce and wife Winonah, all of Vadito, N.M. He was preceded in death by his parents and stepson Scott Hardisty.