September 23, 1931- August 6, 2014
Donald Frederick Dorward, age 82, passed away peacefully in his Oakland, California residence on August 6, 2014.
Don was the son of Frederick and Gladys Dorward, and brother of JaneAnn Dorward Dow, all of who predeceased him. A native of San Francisco, Don grew up in Piedmont and graduated from Piedmont High School. He then entered the University of California, Berkeley where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and graduated with a Bachelors degree in business in 1955. Don served as a Corpsman in the United States Coast Guard during the Korean War.
Don spent the first seven years of his business career at Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corporation, where he rose to the position of Director of Advertising and Public Relations at age 30. He then founded Allen and Dorward, a San Francisco based advertising agency with his business partner Francis Allen. As President and CEO, Don built the company to be the largest independently owned advertising agency on the west coast.
Don Dorward served on many corporate boards including Charles Schwab, 24 Hour Fitness, and the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame and was active throughout his life in many other professional and charitable organizations. He served as Chairman of the Young Presidents Organization and World Presidents Organization, as well as President of the Claremont Country Club and the San Francisco Fly Casting Club. He held leadership positions with a variety of advertising industry organizations including the American Association of Advertising Agencies and AMIN, an international organization of independent advertising agencies. In addition, he was a member of Spyglass Hill Country Club, the Outrigger Canoe Club, the St. Francis Yacht Club and The Bohemian Club. Don’s charity work included The U.C. Berkeley Foundation and the Shriners and for forty years Don hosted a charity golf tournament that benefited the Speech and Hearing Clinic at Children’s Hospital.
Don was an avid golfer and sportsman. A supporter of Cal Athletics and an avid fan of the 49ers and the Giants, he was a 49er season ticket holder from the early days of Kezar Stadium.
Don is survived by Nan White, his partner of fifteen years and his five children, Mary Anne Dorward (husband Rupert Webb), John, Steven (wife Toni), and Charles, Christopher (wife Holly). His son, Robert C. Dorward predeceased him. Don is also survived by five grandchildren, Sarah and Joshua Schenkkan and Bobby, Emily and Katheryn Dorward.
Nothing was more important to Don than his family and friends. His network was far reaching and the personal impact he had on the lives he touched was immeasurable.
At Don’s specific request, a small family memorial service has already taken place. The family will be hosting a gathering of friends to celebrate his life. Specific details for this gathering will be announced at a later date.
Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be sent to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, Fl 33607
Or the Oak Tree Foundation at Claremont Country Club
ATTENTION:
Due to unforeseen circumstances the party celebrating Don’s life has been postponed. Please help spread this information.
My family and I have been going to The Northshore for 42 straight years and just returned from another wonderful Tahoe vacation. Every year we're at the Lake I remember fondly my friend Don who was always there with a ready smile and the offer to "come have a drink on his deck". I and others were always ready to participate and all the while Don made all of us feel welcome and like he was your best friend. Don was also in charge off the buoy field an important job at The Northshore since it was always a "loaves and fishes routine" with high demand and limited supply. Don always took care of his friends me included and a close in buoy was better and safer as we all began to age. Like a lot of us Don kept his woody at Sierra Boat and Dick Clarke and Pat Began were very fund of him as well. This year George Hill, Mike Ross, Jack Schumacher me and others remembered Don and all the good times we had. We all agree that Don in his 80+ years lived a full and robust life. I am glad to have been a part of it and we all miss our friend........!!!!!
Randy Leathers
How do you say goodbye to your Best Friend? I first met Don through the introduction by Zook Todd at the Mission Ranch forty five years ago. It was the Sour Mash !! Over the next 45 years we shared golf at Monterey Peninsula, Corral de Tierra, Tehama, Spyglass, Claremont and The Bobby D. We shared Shing-A- Lu as partners at Claremont in our yellow rain slickers with vodka and wine and winning and losing. We shared our passion for the Giants and our long history of tailgates , wine and nibley mix and 49er games. We shared our friendship with Clint Eastwood and our stories and times with him. We shared politics and our concerns, if not distress, for the direction of our state and our nation. We shared the lives, aspirations, successes and trials of our children and grandchildren. We shared Tahoe and Northshore and golf, boating,"Wet Woodies"and barbeques and cocktails on the Deck. We shared fishing and the SFFCC, the fish plants, the traditions, the history DVD, the days and discussions on the porch because "fishing is about more than fish". Then there was always an Irish coffee and then "one more". We talked as Don was preparing to leave the hospital and he assured me " I'm not letting the Old Man in"! Don was more than a brother to me, he was my Pal .
