Don Tompkins  '53  passed away in his sleep on October 15, 2005 in Zimbabwe, Africa, where he had been on two fishing trips.  He and his wife Diane spent a week fishing in the Zambezi River with their friend, William, of the Humani Ranch.  Then, Don went fishing in Uganda with four friends:  Roger, Richard, William, and Ray.  Then they joined Diane and Anne on the Whittalls' Humani Ranch.  They have been enjoying going to Humani since 1978.

Don had been struggling with cancer in 2005, after overcoming several bouts with cancer in earlier years, including having melanoma twice.

He was born on March 3, 1935 in Des Moines, Iowa and lived in Graettinger, Iowa.  He had his seventh birthday on the way to California, when his family moved west.  He went through San Marino schools; graduated from South Pasadena-San Marino High School and Occidental College.  He retired in 1998 after spending 41 years in the life insurance and estate planning business as a CLU.  He was active in the Safari Club International, beginning in 1971, as a member of the founding board of directors.  He joined Glendora Country Club in 1965 and played on the Saturday and Thursday golf teams for many years.  His other interests were hunting, fishing, and traveling in the motor home.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Diane Cottrell Tompkins; by an uncle, Richard Spies of San Marino; and by two brothers-in-law, John Hoy and his wife, Peggy, and Mel Cottrell and his wife Jan.  He is also survived by cousins; a nephew, and three nieces.  His parents, Evelyn and Chuck, his sister Judy, and his nephew Mike preceded him in death.