Donald Willard Wicher JD '50

Donald Willard Wicher JD ’50

01/15/2021

Donald Willard Wicher JD ’50 died in Beaverton, Oregon, on August 12, 2020, from congestive heart failure. He was 99 years old.

Don was born in Portland on December 12, 1920, to Donald and Edna Wicher. He had three older sisters, with whom he was always close. He graduated from Beaverton High School at the age of 16 and later bypassed college to go directly to law school.

Apart from his service in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946, Don spent his career in banking, working as a tax and trust attorney for what is now Wells Fargo Bank. During his early years there, he met his future wife, Mary—an employee for a rival bank who also turned out to be the niece of Don’s boss. The couple married in 1942 and celebrated their 69th anniversary shortly before Mary’s death in 2011.

Don was a devoted father to his children, Donna and Robert, attending endless piano recitals, ballet performances, baseball games. He was active in his community and spent 10 years on the school board of the Beaverton School District, where he served as chair the year his daughter graduated from high school.

Don and Mary loved to travel, especially after his retirement. They explored widely in the United States and Mexico, and visited England, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Austria, and Germany. They also cruised to Tahiti, the Mediterranean, and the Panama Canal. For many years, they also spent winters in Palm Springs. 

Don was preceded in death by Mary; their son, Robert; and his sisters, Martha, Marguerite, and Genevieve. He is survived by his daughter, Donna; and many cousins, nephews, and nieces.