Donald “Don” Stitz, 83, of Hockessin DE, passed away on September 10, 2020 after a courageous battle with mesothelioma. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family. Don is survived by his wife Marge (Rask) with whom he shared 60 years of marriage.
Don and Marge have three daughters, Margo Stitz of Wilmington, DE, Kristin Stitz of Wayne, PA, and Jill Stitz Conwell, of Malvern, PA. In 1987, Don and Marge welcomed Daniela Pino Linale into the family. Daniela was their exchange student from Bolivia and currently resides in Pelham, NY. The family continued to grow to include sons-in-law Brian Urion (married to Margo), Scott Coleman (married to Kristin), Brian Conwell (married to Jill), Rusty Wright (married to Daniela) and 5 grandchildren – Jack and William Coleman, Paige and Quentin Conwell, and Viviana Wright.
Don was born in Lafayette IN, to the late Herbert O. and Goldie (Beasey) Stitz and has an older brother, Herbert O. Stitz Jr. of Lafayette, IN. After graduating from Jefferson High School in 1954, Don attended Purdue University. At Purdue, Don majored in chemical engineering and served in the ROTC. He met Marge at a Delta Tau Delta-Chi Omega mixer. In 1960, Don was part of the 2nd graduating class of Purdue’s Krannert School of Management. He and Marge married in August of that year.
Don completed his military service at Ft. McClelland, AL, and in the Chemical Corps Reserve Unit in Louisiana. A long and successful career with Hercules, Inc. took the family to Parlin, NJ, Lake Charles, LA – where all three girls were born – Taiwan, and Houston. In 1978 they settled in Wilmington, DE.
After 34 years with Hercules, Don retired in 1994 as Vice President of Operations. In retirement, Don started the company LaserRazer, a stencil cutting service, which complemented Marge’s retail venture, Stenciled Interiors in Lantana Square. He also continued to add to and purse many other hobbies, including his favorite – golf.
Don hit the links regularly all of his life. He was a member of Hercules Country Club and, more recently, DuPont Country Club. He also enjoyed golfing in Loveland, CO, where he and Marge had a summer home. Don took up cooking in retirement and approached it with the same curious engagement that was a hallmark of his engineering career. His extended family enjoyed many inspired gourmet meals, including NY-style bagels and his famous pulled pork.
In 2016, Marge and Don moved to Cokesbury Village in Hockessin, DE. Don will be remembered there for his presence in the woodshop, his University of FL hybrid tomatoes, and his entertaining stories. He was loved and will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
In memory of Don, the family suggests donations to the YWCA of Delaware, 100 W 10th St., Suite 515, Wilmington, DE 19801 (https://www.ywcade.org) or the Clarence Fraim Boys and Girls Club, 669 S. Union St., Wilmington, DE 19805 (https://www.bgclubs.org/locations/clarence-fraim-boys-girls-club/).
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