Don Raymond Kania died on July 28, 2024 at age 69, in Ashland, OR. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, on December 16, 1954 to Raymond and Genevieve Kania. He was the middle son of three, Mark(Anne) and Paul (Lisa). Don is survived by his wife, Renee Dubois, and children John (Sherry), Michael (Stacy and their children Amelia and Genevieve), and Elizabeth (Donovan Baldwin).

Don grew up in Detroit, just south of 8 Mile, and attended St. Bartholomew grade school, University of Detroit High School, and the University of Michigan, where he received his Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree (Physics), and Ph.D.(Nuclear Engineering).

In his early career Don worked at government laboratories in Los Alamos, NM and Livermore, CA, where he worked on fusion power projects. He then went to the private sector where he was in the corporate hierarchy of VEECO, and eventually became the CEO of FEI Corporation in Hillsboro, OR. He also served on the Boards of Directors of several companies in the bio-engineering field.

Don and his family lived in New Mexico, California and Oregon, where he finally “retired” in Ashland. His eclectic interests included: photography, wine (collecting and growing grapes), sports as a participant (hockey) and fan (University of Michigan football), collecting specialty firearms, X-15 memorabilia, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Don was very involved in local charities, especially the United Way and fundraising for those who lost their homes in the terrible fires of recent years.

Don was a terrific husband, father, brother, friend, colleague and mentor. He was greatly loved; he will be greatly missed.