Donald K. Vaupel, 88

Longtime area businessman and pharmacist Don Vaupel died of natural causes Monday, Aug. 15, 2005, at Northern Montana Hospital. He was 88 years young.

Don was born in Malta on April 19, 1917. Graduating from Saco High School in 1934, he enrolled at the University of Montana School of Pharmacy in the fall of that same year. He took his bachelor's degree in June 1938, the same month he took Ramona Kathleen Rognas of Saco to be his bride.

Ramona preceded him in death. To that union were born two children, son, Dean, currently of Powell, Wyo., and daughter, Melodee (Mrs. Max Dahl), presently residing in Gig Harbor, Wash.

In 1974, he married Gabriele Poedder, who survives him, as do his brother, Ross Robinson, of Billings; four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

His long career in business and pharmacy began in 1938 with employment at Cahalan's Drug in Great Falls. After that came short stints with the Baxter Hotel Pharmacy in Bozeman and Hall Drug in Glasgow.

In November 1941, he arrived in Havre and went to work for the Owl Drug Company. In 1948, he and a small group of investors purchased Clark's Pharmacy on Third Avenue and renamed it Don's Medical Pharmacy. In operation for nearly 50 years, the store served the community, occupying three separate locations in the same block. At the height of his business career there was a total of 16 drug stores in various locations throughout Montana, most of them named Western Drug.

In 1976, he, Jim Sleeter and another group of investors purchased the former Buttrey department store in downtown Havre, and converted it into the Atrium Shopping Mall.

Described by his family as a "workaholic," Don had few hobbies. But he so enjoyed his home just outside Havre, his flowers and his family. He also was known around town as an avid New York Yankees fan, a fair poker player and a great storyteller.

Cremation has taken place. At the request of Don and the family, there will be no funeral service, but friends and acquaintances are invited to the Mediterranean Room Vineyard in Havre for an informal gathering from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20. All who knew him are encouraged to stop by and celebrate a wonderful life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Havre Public Schools Education Foundation or to the MSU-Northern Foundation.