OBITUARY Rollin “Don” Porter July 10, 1935 – November 6, 2018 On Tuesday, November 6, 2018, Rollin “Don” Porter, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away at the age of 83 with his wife, Janet, steadfastly by his side. Don was born on July 10, 1935, in Vandalia, IL. , to Rollin D. Porter Sr. and Fern W. Goad.
He graduated from Vandalia High School in 1953. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Engineering from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1957, he was awarded a Master of Science degree in Education from the University of Northern Iowa in 1963. Don continued his education with post-graduate studies at Northwestern University, Lake Forest College and the Illinois Institute of Technology.
On Sept. 15, 1957, Don married Janet M. Smith, also Vandalia, at his parents’ home. In 1959, the couple re-located to Brownstown, IL, where Don began his career as an educator, teaching science at both Brownstown High School and Hanover High School.
In 1963, Don, Janet and their two young children moved to Des Plaines, IL, where he was hired to teach physics at Maine West High School in Township High School District 207. His outstanding classroom instructions and strong rapport with his students led to Don being honored in 1974 with the American Association of Physics Teachers Innovations Teaching Award. He was also named as one of the top five physics teachers in the nation.
In 1974, Don began his career at Township High School District 214, where he was hired as the Science Department Chairman at Forest View High School in Arlington Heights, IL. After spending a decade as a teacher and administrator at Forest View, Don went on to become the Math and Science Department Chairman at Prospect High School in Mt. Prospect, IL.
After 35 years as a teacher and administrator, Don retired in 1994, and he and Jan moved to Galena, IL, where he soon became an enthusiastic community volunteer. In addition to volunteering with the Galena Territory Fire Department and the Galena Ambulance, where he served the community as an EMT, Don was a starter at the Galena Inn and Resort South Golf Course. As a proud member of the Rotary Club of Galena, Don was named “Rotarian of the Year” in 2008.
Don and Jan were also active members of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Galena, where Don served as a church Elder and was involved with the church worship committee. In 2013, Don and Jan moved to Lisle, IL, to be closer to family. Don loved fishing, golfing, traveling, the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears coffee and an occasional cigar.
Above all, Don cherished his time spent with family, especially the time he enjoyed with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A lifelong learner and educator, Don loved sharing his wealth of knowledge of science and the world around him with family and friends. He will also be remembered for his keen sense of humor, appreciation for nature, and passion for storytelling.
Don is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 61 years, Janet; his two children, Rex Porter of Lakeview, Ark. (special friend, Joan Organ Jenkins) and Susan (Arthur) Zern of Sycamore, Illinois; four grandchildren, Jamie (David) Willett, Steven (Beverly) Porter, David (Rachel) Zern, and Rex Don (fiancé Olivia Thomas) Porter. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren; Jazlyn Porter, Fiona Willett, Raylan Porter, and Rex Remington Porter.
A memorial visitation will be held at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 5015 Lincoln Avenue, Lisle, on Saturday, November 17, 2018, from 1-4 with a Celebration of Life service beginning at 4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www. stjude.org).
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