This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Donald Dessart, 86, born on April 2, 1928 and passed away on April 3, 2014. We will remember him forever.
College Professor and Korean War Veteran
Dr. Donald Joseph Dessart (Don/Dad/Grampa Don/Papa), 86, passed away peacefully on April 3 at Piedmont Health Care Center in Piedmont, AL. He was born on April 2, 1928 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the son of the late Eli Joseph Dessart and Mary Octavia (Warrichaiet) Dessart. In addition to his parents, Don is predeceased by his beloved wife of 60 years, Gloria Jean (Clemons) Dessart and a sister, Arlene DuFresne. He is survived by a sister, Nancy (Jerry) Boettcher; children, Mary Newsome, Tom Dessart, Jean (Rob) Rush, Brian (Jamie) Dessart, and Ruth (Milton) Mason; grandchildren, Ryan (Cassie) Rush, Beth Rush, Joseph (Tiffany) Rush, Aimee Mason, Katie Dessart, Wesley Mason and Abby Dessart; a great grandson, Reef Rush; and many cousins, nephews and nieces. His guiding wisdom, wonderful sense of humor and loving nature will be greatly missed.
Don graduated from West High School in Green Bay in 1946 where he was senior class president. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison on a Naval ROTC scholarship graduating Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in Mathematics Education and was commissioned as an Ensign in the US Navy on June 16, 1950. He married Gloria on June 17, 1950 in Green Bay. He served aboard the USS Los Angeles, a heavy cruiser, as a gunnery officer making two combat deployments to Korea during the Korean War. Don left active duty in 1953 but served in the Naval Reserve until 1960 attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He was very proud of his service and was always interested in talking about the Navy.
Following the war Don taught high school math for two years in Escanaba, Michigan and Monona, Wisconsin. After receipt of his Master’s Degree in Mathematics Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison he took a teaching position at State University of New York-Oneonta. He completed his PhD in Mathematics Education in 1961 at the University of Maryland in College Park. In 1962 Don accepted a position at the University of Tennessee as a professor in the departments of Mathematics and Math Education so he and Gloria moved the family to Knoxville. Don taught at UT for over 40 years retiring as a Professor Emeritus. He had a passion for teaching bringing a special gift for making complex mathematical principles more understandable to students who were intimidated by or less inclined toward mathematics.
Dr. Dessart accumulated numerous professional achievements. He published over 60 articles in various professional journals. He served on several committees of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and as Vice-President and President of the Tennessee Mathematics Teachers Assoc. Don also served as the Director of the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics and chaired the editorial board of the Journal for Research in Mathematics. His awards and honors include Who’s Who in America, the John B. Tunstall Award as Outstanding Faculty Member (3 times), the Excellence in Humanity and Teaching Award and the Helen B. Watson Faculty/Student Outstanding Dissertation Award. Don’s two crowning professional achievements were his election as the UT Macebearer for 1998-99, the highest honor for a faculty member, and the 2002 NCTM Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished Service to Mathematics Education.
Don, a life-long Episcopalian, was a faithful member of the following churches: the Church of the Ascension, Tyson House and Good Samaritan. He was active in each church serving in many capacities.
Don was a sports enthusiast and an avid fan of his hometown Green Bay Packers. He loved to read, especially history. He also had a passion for genealogy compiling an impressive collection of family history. Don and Gloria travelled to his ancestral Belgium where he made contact with distant cousins.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Church of the Good Samaritan, 425 N. Cedar Bluff Rd, Knoxville, TN 37923 or Piedmont Health Care Center, 30 Roundtree Dr, Piedmont, AL 36272 (enter “Indigent Fund” in memo line).
Tributes
Leave a tributeMy heartfelt condolences to Nancy, Mary, Tom, Jean, Brian, and Ruth, all of whom I remember from long ago. Last visited with Uncle Don and Aunt Gloria in April, 1977, at their home in Knoxville.
A gentleman's gentleman, and a scholar's scholar. So long, Uncle Don, I know how much you are missed by family, friends, former students, and shipmates, 'Fair winds, and following seas.'
I was always thankful for that cup of coffee that you took at the RIGHT time on board the USS Los Angeles. That certainly was a God moment for all of us.
You have spent 1 year in heaven.
Thankful for the memories we shared with our families after being
reunited many years later in Knoxville.
With Christian love, Jennifer Reed Sexton, Helenwood, TN.
in Korea. Thanks to our old ship, we were once again reunited in
Knoxville, TN along with our families. Anchors Away Shipmate, you
will be missed.
Leave a Tribute
My heartfelt condolences to Nancy, Mary, Tom, Jean, Brian, and Ruth, all of whom I remember from long ago. Last visited with Uncle Don and Aunt Gloria in April, 1977, at their home in Knoxville.
A gentleman's gentleman, and a scholar's scholar. So long, Uncle Don, I know how much you are missed by family, friends, former students, and shipmates, 'Fair winds, and following seas.'