The obituary for Don Shurtleff, Jr. was prepared by his sister Lee Stanard.

Donald O. Shurtleff, Jr. was born on June 13, 1947, in Lincoln, Nebraska to Donald and Ruth Shurtleff. He passed away peacefully on June 5, 2026, in Bend, Oregon.

Don graduated from Lincoln Southeast High School where he was class president for two years. He also graduated from the Elkins School of Electronics, the University of Nebraska School of Journalism, the Naval Officers Candidate School and EMT training. He earned a master’s degree in public administration from Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, California. He was a proud member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Don enjoyed many varied careers. He once said he had gotten to do everything he wanted to do. He worked in radio in Lincoln, Nebraska, and in Bend, Oregon. He served in the Navy during Viet Nam in communications. Don owned and operated Shurtleff Ambulance in Lincoln, Nebraska. Don was a police officer in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was also a police sergeant in Redwood City, California and worked at H.I.D.T.A. (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) in San Francisco. Don, with his wife Dorothy, retired to Bend, Oregon to become a rancher and rescue animals. While in Bend he also busied himself as historian for the American Legion in Sisters, Oregon, and Public Information Officer for the High Desert Amateur Radio Group.

Don had many lifelong passions-music, radio, ham radio, writing, trains, boxing and his many beloved dogs. He coached youth boxing for 35 years in Lincoln, Redwood City, and Bend.

Don was smart, inquisitive, generous, kind and humble. He lived a life of service, integrity, caring and compassion. He made a difference and will be missed by his family and many friends.

Don was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy and his parents Don and Ruth Shurtleff. He is survived by his sister Lee Stanard, nephews Scott Stanard, Mark Stanard, Steve Stanard and niece Jill Stanard, many cousins, and his beloved dogs Zep and Daisy.

There will be a private memorial service. Memorials may be made to an animal rescue of your choice.