Donald Wayne “Don” Eide

10/12/1947 — 01/24/2023

From Kennewick, WA | Born in

Celebration of Life

Starts:
Fri, February 3, 2023, 3:00 pm
Location:
Einan’s At Sunset Funeral Home
915 Bypass Highway Bldg. H Richland, WA 99352

Donald Wayne “Don” Eide

 

Donald Wayne Eide passed away of natural causes on Tuesday January 24th 2023 at the age of 75.

He was born on October 12, 1947 in Seattle, Washington.  He moved to Enumclaw with his family in 1953, graduating from Enumclaw High School in 1965. Donald then attended Yakima Valley Community College where he was a football standout and also a wrestler, taking 6th in State in the community college division.  YVCC is where he met and later married Rosemary Rehfield on August 22, 1968.  After their marriage they lived in San Diego during Donald’s Navy service, where the first of their children, Donald Jr., was born.   Donald and Rosemary went on to have three more children; Elizabeth, Janna, and Bradley.

He served his country in the US Navy from 1967-1973 during the Vietnam war where he was an Aviation Structural Mechanic spending time on the USS Kitty Hawk.  While stationed aboard the USS Kitty Hawk, he was an Aviation instructor for new recruits both at Miramar and a remote training center in Arizona.  Donald was also a successful Navy Recruiter until 1972.  After being Honorably Discharged from the Navy he opened Eide Brother’s Truck and Heavy Equipment Repair shop from 1972-1974.  Upon moving to eastern Washington, he started his career at N-Reactor on the Hanford site and continued to work on projects there until his retirement.

He later met and married G. Christine Eide, on October 12, 1989 after which the family moved to Richland WA.

Donald was a devoted husband, loyal and loving, taking pride in his family and friends. He was a privately devout member of the Catholic Church and believed in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. To be loved by him felt like one of his hugs, protective, rewarding and fierce in a pick you off your feet kind of way. Along with his charming smile, he was best known for his membership and service in a number of organizations, particularly Toastmaster’s, Ducks Unlimited, and also Gold Wing Road Riders Association where he was both a member and an Instructor. He was an avid golfer and a long-term member of the Canyon Lakes Golf Club, reaching the pinnacle achievement of multiple hole-in-one’s.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Orville Junior Eide and Naomi Ann (Pischke) Eide, his brothers, Terry Eide, Darrel Eide, and Orville K Eide.

Donald is survived by his wife of 33 years, Gail Christine Eide. His children Donald Eide Jr of California, Elizabeth (Tim) Whiteman of California, Janna Toth of Clarkston, Banyan (Vera) Eide of Mexico, and Russell (Nicole) Einan of Pasco. He is also survived by 13 Grandchildren, 2 Great Grandchildren, and his Siblings, David (Christine) Eide of Enumclaw, Jim (Christine) Eide of Ohio, and Ann Eide of Alaska.

Guestbook for

Donald Wayne “Don” Eide

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

PUBLIC ENTRY

Your guestbook entry will be visible to the public.

  • Just learned that Don has flown to heaven. Don always had a smile for me and full of kindness that I will treasure. Met him thru GWRRA and attended a couple motorcycle courses that he taught.

    Will always remember his encourging words and his super duper smile. He will be missed.

    Condolences ro his entire family.

    Sincerely,
    Lil’ Jo

    Jo
    March 16, 2023
    Tri Cities
  • Don was my first and favorite boss at Hanford. He had a great sense of humor and I appreciated his intelligence and approach to life. He was very proud of his family and talked of them a lot. I will miss him very much.

    Sherry Foreman
    February 3, 2023
    Richland, Wa
  • Don was such a wonderful, loving cousin to me. A little over four years ago I met him for the first time when he came to my installation at the CDA Kroc Center. From there he introduced me to the rest of his brothers and now I have a family connection that means the world to me. I owe it all to Don.

    Don Gilger
    February 2, 2023
    Coeur d Alene, Idaho
  • Big Hugs and Kisses in heaven and it is lit up brighter than the Fourth of July. Don Eide, big heart and big man. So much kindness, love, light and always doing God’s work here on earth with family and friends. Anyone who ever met him, knew him, born into his family (or adopted in, like me) was made a better person. My love goes out to Christine, Russ, Beth, DJ, Brad, Janna and the extended family and friends.

    Kelly Thompson
    January 31, 2023
    Richland, Washington
  • Call Now Button