Home | Obituaries 

A tribute to
Don Abbott



as shared by
Lou Lagrave

Don attended Whittier, Wilson and Highland through his junior year. Although he attended Sandia as a senior, he always considered himself to be a Hornet.

After HHS, Don graduated from UNM and married his first wife, Dona, the mother of his children.  He taught high school history in the Boulder, Colorado area and with the exception of a brief time in Guatemala, Boulder was where he lived until 1990, when he joined the Peace Corps and went to Poland. This was one of over 40 countries in which he traveled and lived. He returned to Poland after his stint in the Peace Corps, and spent the bulk of his time there, while maintaining a residence in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

He retired from the American School in Warsaw in 2005, and returned to Glenwood Springs. In November of 2005 he was diagnosed with brain cancer and returned to the Boulder area for treatment.

Don was truly a world traveler, always seeking adventure and new experiences. He took numerous bicycle trips throughout Europe, ran 2 marathons after the age of 59, climbed a few mountains, hitchhiked his way across Nicaragua during the Contra uprising, and visited the 4 corners of the Earth.

He was a great father of two fine children and a great friend with whom I spent many days and nights fishing, talking, planning, playing, reminiscing and solving the world's problems.

Don's family has asked that you consider a donation to the Lance Armstrong Foundation.


Elzbieta, Don and Lou Lagrave  (March, 2006)


2005 Don with his new granddaughter


Don (on the left) in Prague, Czeck Republic prior to running his 2nd marathon in 2003


Don and family