Donald Dudgeon Snow, 88

Donald Dudgeon Snow of Kalispell passed away in hospice on Dec. 2, 2015, at the age of 88.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Phyllis Snow; sons, Blaine of Olympia, Washington, and Neil of Helena, and their wives, Barbara and Suzanne; four granddaughters; one great-grandson; sister, Carol Miller, of Shelton, Washington; cousin, Donna Snow, of Olympia, Washington; and former wife, Shirley Snow, of Tucson, Arizona.

He was predeceased by his parents, Dorothy Snow and Fred Snow.

Don was born and raised in western Washington. After serving in the U.S. Navy on the Antietam in the Pacific after World War II, he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.

Don was an elementary instrumental music teacher in the Seattle School District for 30 years, including long appointments at Alki, Lafayette and Schmitz Park schools in West Seattle. His love of music inspired many youth, some of whom pursued careers in music or the music industry.

He played the string bass in the Rochester Philha-rmonic while studying at Eastman, Seattle Symphony for 12 years, was principal bassist for the Seattle Philha-rmonic Orchestra for 20 years, and with the Glacier Symphony in Kalispell for 20 years.

A lover of Big Band music and jazz, Don performed in Seattle with the Max Pillar Orchestra for six or seven years and with the Bob Elwood Quartet for 14 years. He performed the “Firebird Suite” under Igor Stravinsky and had a two-week appearance on the Arthur Godfrey Show as bass player of the Marimba Masters.

Don’s love of nature was deeply held. He joined The Mountaineers in Seattle while in his 30s, climbed all six “major peaks” in Washington, grew vegetable gardens and enjoyed feeding and watching birds. He enjoyed bicycling, hiking, skiing and walking the family dogs with Phyllis.

A special 50-year tradition of Don’s was preparing sourdough pancakes for family and friends.

Don was Scoutmaster of Troop 288 in West Seattle for six years in the 1970s and co-lead campouts and several 50-mile hikes. He was active with Phyllis in Rails to Trails of Northwest Montana and helped establish trails for all to enjoy.

His numerous friends were an important part of Don’s life. He thought nothing of flying across the country to visit a friend and frequently called the people important in his life.

Don always maintained a genuine zest for living, which included a broad sense of humor. He was engaged fully in his pursuit of happiness and leaves behind family and friends who shared his rich and varied life.

Don’s smile and good nature will be missed.

A celebration of Don’s life will be held from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at the Hampton Inn, 1140 U.S. Highway 2 W., in Kalispell. Friends are encouraged to share tales from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Remembrances may be made to Rails to Trails of Northwest Montana, P.O. Box 1103, Kalispell, MT 59903.