Donald K. Weilburg ’57

Donald K. Weilburg ’57 passed away on December 14, 2022. Don was an English major at Dartmouth, a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon, played basketball, and rowed crew. After living and working in San Francisco for two years, Don and future wife, Sally, traveled north by motorcycle to British Columbia, back to Washington state, and cross country to New York City. They married and he worked in public relations in Manhattan for two years. In 1961 Don and Sally hopped a coal freighter in Norfolk, Virginia, disembarked in Hamburg, Germany, and hitchhiked through Europe and North Africa for five months, returning to the States in June 1962. In a career shift Don earned his D.M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1967 and the next year a certificate in orthodontics. In 1969 he began what became a thriving orthodontics practice in Westerly, Rhode Island. Don was 6-foot-8, often known as “Tall Man” or “Stretch” and equally well known for his warm heart and kind nature. He would buy Christmas trees and gifts for families in need and, when patients couldn’t afford dental care, would accept handmade sweaters or quilts in payment. Don and Sally were in the McGovern campaign in 1971 and 1972. They participated in the Democratic National Convention and remained active politically, serving on the Westerly and Rhode Island Democratic committees. Don was predeceased by Sally, his wife for 62 years. He is survived by daughters Heidi and Lindsay, son Burkley, and seven grandchildren.