Obit: Aumann, Donald J. #2 (1959 - 2007)

Contact: Audrey Roedl
Email: audero@charter.net

Surnames: AUMANN BRADFORD SCHILLER

----Sources: Loyal TRG 04 April 2007

Aumann, Donald J. #2 (17 JUN 1959 - 9 MAR 2007)

Donald J. Aumann, 47, Davis, Calif., formerly of Loyal, died on Friday, March 9, 2007, at Kaiser Hospital, Sacramento, Calif., within days of a diagnosis of auto-immune hemolytic anemia. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Davis Funeral Chapel. A memorial service was held at Davis Community Church, Davis, at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, March 14. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2007, at 11 a.m., at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Loyal. The Rev. Roman Kaiser and the Rev. Chester Osowski will officiate. His ashes will be buried in the St,\. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery.

Donald J. Aumann was born June 17, 1959, in Milwaukee, and grew up on a farm near Loyal. Always a keen student, he attended Catholic grammar schools in Brookfield and Loyal. At Loyal High School, he participated in FFA, track and field, and marching band. He served as senior class president and graduated fifth in his class in 1977. He was a representative at Badger Boys State in 1976. He earned a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in 1982, graduating with high honors. He then moved to California, where he became well known and much in demand for his knowledge and expertise in the area of energy conservation. He held positions with PG&E, the Lawrence Berkley Laboratory, and the California Energy Commission, as well as with two private firms. At one of the later, he worked closely over several years, with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). In 2004, he was recruited as director of programs for the California, Davis, where he has had a major role in linking research-generated advances in lighting technology with the public utilities. He was valued by his employers and colleagues not only for his breadth of expertise and experience and his exceptional capacity for achievement, but also for his excellent judgment, his high standards, and his effectiveness in creating a team from a group of individuals with diverse backgrounds and interests, A person of remarkable energy, he was an avid cyclist, hiker, and back-country skier. In 1986, he completed a solo Bicycle ride from Seattle to New York. He completed the Davis Double Century bike ride at the age of 25 and again at 45, and over the years, participated in a number of major mountain bike rides in California, as well as riding in other western states. He greatly enjoyed extended back-country ski trips in the Sierras, and also skied in other western states and the European Alps. At a recent family reunion in Yosemite National Park, he hiked to the top of Yosemite Falls and was back in time for an 8:30 a.m. breakfast. In 1989, he married Margaret Bradford, Davis. They have two children, Peter, 14, and Emily, 11. He was a devoted husband and father and shared his passion for the outdoors with his family. From the time the children were infants, the four of them took bike rides together, and more recently, they took longer trips on their two tandems. They also enjoyed cross-country skiing and snow camping trips and summer hikes together. In 2006, they drove, with the two tandems atop the car, to family reunions in Door County and Marshfield, where the tandems were much enjoyed by several members of the extended families. He and his wife lived in the Bay area until 2001, where they were active members of the Newman Center/Holy Spirit Parish, Berkeley, Calif., with both singing in the choir and involved in other activities. Since moving to Davis, they have mained close contact with many Bay-area friends. In Davis, the whole family has become involved in Davis Community Church’s music, Worship, and youth programs. He was a skilled amateur photographer, and their home is graced with beautiful photos of some of his favorite mountain scenes. He was also a folk music enthusiast, with an extensive collection of music recordings and a lifetime membership at the Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse in Berkeley. Friends enjoyed his music compilation CDs at Christmas. He was a role model for how to maintain many meaningful friendships, and treasured any chance to share experiences with friends.

In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by and will be sadly missed by his parents, Irban and Leona Aumann, Marshfield; his brothers, Joe (Kris) and their children, Ryan and Sarah, Loyal, and John (Cathy), Granton, (a third brother, Michael, died in a farm accident in 1977); a sister, Shelby (Dean) Schiller and her children, Derek and Maryssa, Ripon; and many, many friends.

In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that those wishing to remember him with a gift, should send a contribution to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Freight and Salvage House (www.freightandsalvage.org), Snowlands Network (www.snowlands.org), or your favorite charity. Donating blood to your local blood bank would also be appropriate.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Loyal, is assisting the family with arrangements.