Don's legacy did not end when he died in February 1944, only 25 years old. He lived in the hearts and memories of his Springfield friends, his parents Frank and Mary, and his wife Norma. Don was was one of Springfield's most talented and promising residents.

At Springfield High School, he served as his freshman class president, played football his freshman year, and basketball his sophomore year through his senior year. On the basketball court he was a "triple threat" playing center, forward, or guard. As a senior, his teammates elected him varsity team captain.  
Don enjoyed acting. In April 1936, he was a cast member in the junior play "Second Childhood." During his senior year, in December 1936, he played the lead character Eddie Ellison in the comedy "Square Crooks." 

Don served for four years on the staff of both the the student newspaper, the Spri-Hian, and the yearbook, the Scrivener. As an artist, his contribution to the Scrivener was on the art staff. Also a singer, he was a member of the school's glee club all four years of high school.

The Scrivener listed "pretty girls" as Don's weakness, "silly girls" as his abomination, and "aw, nuts!" as his expression.  Not surprisingly, it listed basketball as his sport.

Perhaps his senior portrait caption described Don best,

"Popular, gay, and friendly is he, 
Where Don is, there we'd all like to be."

Although Don impacted many people and he lived in the memories of his friends, parents, and wife for a generation, his legacy is his son Frank.