This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, Donald Bissett, 78, born on April 22, 1934 and passed away on March 17, 2013. We will love and remember him forever.
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Donald Bard Bissett
4-22-1934 to 3-17-2013
Donald Bard Bissett, long time Reno resident and former Washoe County Comptroller passed away on Sunday, March 17, 2013, at the age of 78 after a sudden illness.
He was born in Fallon, April 22, 1934 to John R. Bissett and Myldred I. (Howser) Bissett and is the youngest of three boys. The family moved to Reno when he was very young and he graduated from Reno High School in 1952 where he served as both sophomore and junior class president. He was an outstanding athlete, being selected for the all-state basketball team in 1951 and named in the, “Western States Edition of Who’s Who in High School Athletics, ’51-‘52” among other achievements. After attending Woodbury College in Los Angeles for one year, he returned to Reno and graduated from the University of Nevada Reno in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. While attending UNR, he was initiated into Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.
Don joined the Marine Reserves as a private in 1953 and participated in the Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Class at UNR. In 1955, he earned the Scabbard and Blade Metal, awarded to the best drilled second year cadet. He then went on to Officer’s training at the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Va. He served overseas in Okinawa and upon his return, was stationed at Camp Pendleton until 1959 and then returned to Reno where he served in the reserves. He was honorably discharged in 1970 having obtained the status of Captain in the Marine Corps.
After returning to Reno, he worked for the gaming control board, then became a stockbroker and later worked as controller for the Mapes Hotel Casino. He had returned to UNR to work toward obtaining his MBO when he became the Washoe County Comptroller in 1977. His successor, Kathy Garcia states, "Don was proud of the financial reporting recognition that was attained while he was comptroller. Beginning in 1982, the County’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report was the recipient of the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting and the department garnered national recognition for early implementation of difficult accounting standards. Due to consistent excellence in financial reporting and management, the County’s credit rating was raised." He retired from his position as comptroller in 1994 and enjoyed many years of retirement with his wife Mary Lou, seeing the world, traveling in their motorhome, spending time with grandchildren and golfing among many other things.
He married his first wife, the late Connie Bissett in 1960 and they had two children, Cherie and Steve. He divorced and then in 1981, married his wife of twenty eight years, the late Mary Lou Bissett at which time he gained three step children, Mark, Jody and Bill.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou Bissett and his parents. He is survived by his children; Cherie Bouma and Steve Bissett, step children; Mark Huber, Jody Huber and Bill Ziegenhorn, his grandchildren; Josh, Anja, Jase, Jayme, Jaxon, Alyssa, Morgan, and Chloe and his brothers Roger and Richard (Dick) Bissett.
Don will be remembered as a gentle and loving man of strong character and opinion. Those who entered into conversation with him about politics, economics or country, quickly found out what he thought whether they wanted to or not. He was a man of great honesty and integrity, doing what was right no matter the cost. He was loyal to his family, friends and country and was held in high regard by those who knew him. His quick wit and dry sense of humor always provided us with a good laugh.
Don, loved his children and grandchildren more than anything. He was known to beam with pride and joy as he told stories about them or came to watch one of them at a special event.
Service details:
A memorial will be held to honor and remember his life; a wonderful Father, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, Friend.....
April 6, 2013
11:00 am
Reno Christian Fellowship (RCF) 775-853-4234
1700 W. Zolezzi Lane
Reno, NV 89509
**Reception to follow
Donations can be made in Don’s name to: Forsythe Wellness Clinic Foundation, Inc. 775-827-0707
In a journal that was meant for a grandfather to fill out for his grandchildren, my dad answered the following question; Did you have any exotic animals in the house when growing up? He wrote, "Only when my older brothers had their friends over." I loved my Dad's sense of humor!
Today would have been your 79th birthday. We almost got to celebrate it and thought we were actually going to make it to celebrate your 80th next year. Little did we know that last year, in this video, we would be celebrating with you for the last time.
We miss you very much! Your loss is still so fresh that I still feel the urge to run and get you a present. I know that you are celebrating in Heaven. We will be with you again some day. <3
Happy Birthday Dad! I love you so much!
**Click on the box if the video is not playing.
Sharing a lil quiet time with my dad I wish I could remember this!
