- Date Of Death: September 20, 2017
- State: Michigan
Donald Peter Veeser, 86, of 8122 Garth Point Lane, Rapid River, passed away Wednesday morning September 20, 2017 at home following a lengthy illness.
Donald was born March 4, 1931 in Alpha, Michigan the son of William H. and Mary (Moore) Veeser. He was raised in Alpha where he was a 1947 graduate of Alpha High School. Following graduation, Don received his B.S. Degree from Northern Michigan University and continued his education at Michigan Tech University.
Don’s early career began as a math and science teacher at Powers-Spaulding and Escanaba High Schools. Many of his students remained in contact with him and often invited him to class reunions where they shared humorous stories about his classroom antics.
Don later worked for the Michigan Department of Environmental Health. He served as a Chief Sanitarian in the Northern Peninsula Office of the Michigan Department of Public Health. He was recognized for his many outstanding contributions made toward the field of environmental health and his approach to working with people, problem solving, and efforts to improve local and state environmental health programs. In recognition of his demonstrated ability, in 1979 he received the LaRue L. Miller Sanitarian of the Year Award from the Michigan Environmental Health Association.
Don took early State retirement to enjoy nature, the environment and the land he loved and protected during his career. He enjoyed his retirement years with his companion and soul mate, Pauline. Together, they would hunt, fish, and spend as much time as possible outdoors at their cabins in Crystal Falls and Perkins. They enjoyed working together on building and development projects in the Rapid River area. He was a member of All Saints Parish in Gladstone.
Don married Pauline (Stearns) Peterson in 1982 and became a father to her children Douglas (Judith Thirlby) Peterson of Ensign, Vickie (Gary) Micheau of Gladstone and Dr. Cheryl (Michael) Davison of Yakima, Washington, and then a beloved grandfather of Robert (Meghan) Micheau and Angie Micheau and great-grandfather to Bobby Micheau and Vivienne Lewandowski.
In addition to Pauline and Don’s family, sons, Donald Veeser and Christopher (Lori) Veeser, and daughters, Mary (Art) Kossow, Sr. and Melissa Veeser, and ten grandchildren also survive him along with a brother, Neil Veeser, of Caspian, MI.
His parents, his brothers, William and Gary, preceded Donald in death.
