Donald Haliburton, 87, of Tiffin, Ohio, slipped away Thursday evening, January 20, 2011, at St. Francis Home.

He was born in New Jersey on June 14, 1923. The family moved to Boston so that he and his brother could enjoy better educational opportunities.

Donald was rejected for service during WWII. He spent the war years earning degrees in building construction and business administration at MIT. He was appalled by the lack of concern on the part of the faculty for the academic welfare of returning veterans. They were four years away from their algebra and trigonometry, vital prerequisites for freshman calculus and physics, but nothing was done to help them. Instead, they were further hampered by a very poor textbook.

Under the auspices of the Technology Christian Association, Donald conducted tutorial classes and published a weekly newsletter on freshman calculus and physics.

He had planned to work in the field of mass production of low costs houses. When the time came, he realized he did not have the right personality for this work. What he really wanted to do was to help suffering people. Fortunately, at this point a precious woman came into his life, Lillian Howard. They married, and she helped him get a master's degree in psychiatric social work from Boston University.

Later, he was invited to Tiffin by Dr. Garlo who hired him to work in what later became the Sandusky Valley Mental Health Center on the Betty Jane Memorial campus. He retired from there in 1983. Lillian also retired from teaching, and they were free to travel. They had no children. Lillian slipped away in 2006.

Meanwhile, he carried on a small private practice; one of the highlights of his practice was devising a simple system to teach children to ride a bicycle in one hour. This helped to transform the life of a frustrated little boy from a fatherless family. The promotion of this system has been hampered by the hostility of bicycle companies and stores who feared loss of sales of training wheels.

Donald's relatives live 900 to 1200 miles away. It would be difficult for them to attend a funeral or memorial service. Therefore, there will be neither visitation hours nor funeral. Interment will be in the Howard family plot in Keene, New Hampshire.

In lieu of a traditional memorial service, a brief tribute will be presented here which will contain all that might be said at a service. It is somewhat exaggerated, but this is normal for a memorial. It was written years ago by a young nephew on the occasion of Donald's birthday.

Uncle Don...
My Uncle...
Who always has a heart for others...
Who wants everyone to be content...
Who strives for excellence everyday...
Who gives of everything he has...
Uncle Don...
My Uncle...
With Much Love,
Alexander Christian Call

Memorial contributions can be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home & Crematory, 236 S. Washington St., Tiffin, OH, 44883, 419-447-2424, assisted the family with arrangements.

Letters of condolence may be sent, and the guest book signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com