Don’s career started at Grandville High School teaching woodshop class from 1956 – 1960. During this time both Dave and Doug were born. Don and Eunice lived in Burlingame, Wyoming renting a house for a year and a half then bought a home on 3479 Bluebird.
From 1960 – 1962, Don taught at East Elementary in Grandville, Michigan teaching 6th graders. During this time Dan was born, living at 3479 Bluebird.
From 1962 – 1972, Don was a principal at Stoney Creek Elementary in Comstock Park, Michigan. During this time, Becky was born. Don was the principal of Stoney Creek for 10 years. The school was brand new when it opened and he was the first principal the school ever had. A picture of him was hung in the hallway when he left. The school had over 600 students when it opened up. During this time, Don and Eunice moved next door to a house they built at 3487 Bluebird. The house was built in 1965 by the Meekhoff brothers. Don did some of the work himself. He put siding on the house, painted it, put in the hot water heater, plaster board, roof and treated it for termites.
From 1972 – 1989, Don was the principal of Pinewood Elementary in Jenison, Michigan. He retired on January 27, 1989. He was at Pinewood for 16 ½ years. He left Stoney Creek Elementary because he was encouraged by the superintendent of Jenison schools to apply. Both Dan and Becky had him as their principal. In 1971, Eunice fell roller skating (remember how they met?) and hurt her knee. She was not to climb stairs daily so Don and Eunice moved to 7932 22nd in Jenison, Michigan in 1971. For one year, Don commuted from Jenison to Comstock Park then became principal of Pinewood and lived less than one half mile from the school. He retired January 27, 1989 from Pinewood Elementary.
After retirement, Don taught fall teacher’s education for five years at Grand Valley State University. In 1998, Don and Eunice moved from the house at 7932 22nd to a retirement home not far from 22nd at 2667 Cedar Grove Court and are still living there today.
In all Don had 32 ½ years in education having bought two years for the time he was in the Navy. The impacted lives are countless.
