NAD Issues Tribute to Don G. Pettingill

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) was saddened to learn of the death of Don G. Pettingill on January 6, 2005. He served as president of the NAD Board of Directors from 1972-1974. 

During his leadership as president, he strengthened overall NAD operations and he was a loyal supporter of NAD involvement in international activities.  "It is truly an honor, “said Andrew Lange, NAD President, “to follow in Don’s footsteps.  He leaves a legacy of accomplishments and a huge void in deaf leadership." "On behalf of the National Association of the Deaf, I want to express our deepest condolences to his family and dear friends," Lange continued.

Born on September 2, 1920, Pettingill attended the Idaho School for the Deaf after becoming deaf at the age of five.  Upon graduation, he entered the printing business and eventually bought and ran his own shop for 16 years. He also printed some NAD publications.  Still, his true “calling” was to work with deaf and hard of hearing youth and advocate on behalf of the American deaf community. In 1970, he was hired by Gallaudet University as Director of Off Campus Studies for Youth, retiring in 1989 as Assistant to the Vice President.

Pettingill was a master of what is called multi-tasking today – the ability to juggle many different things at the same time.  He began pursuit of a Bachelor’s degree at the age of 52 years “young”, just before he became NAD president in 1972, studying in his free time while he was president and also still working at MSSD on the Gallaudet University campus.  "So he was doing three things at once!" said Don’s wife Polly.  "It was a four-year venture with graduation in 1976."

Known as an outstanding speaker, Pettingill captured everyone’s attention with his energetic style. A man of many interests, he founded a golf club for retired deaf golfers, many of whom happened to be former printers. Throughout his life, Pettingill had an undying passion to work with the deaf community. He also served as president of the Idaho Association of the Deaf, Indiana Association of the Deaf, and Texas Society of Interpreters for the Deaf. He served on many committees and was appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of Texas to serve on the Advisory Committee to the Texas Legislative Council Study Group on Services of the Deaf of Texas.

"The National Association of the Deaf and the deaf community-at-large is better off for having been so lucky to have Don Pettingill," said NAD President Emeritus Robert Sanderson. "I have fond memories of Don at times when we tried to get the better of the other with jokes. He invariably won with his incredible memory – he could tell jokes non-stop," he continued. "Another side of Don was that he was a grassroots, human sort of guy who told it like he saw it, and he pulled no punches."