David Dwight Donlon
February 24, 1931 - July 27, 2017
David Dwight Donlon, a fourth-generation California native, travel business owner and visionary volunteer to numerous causes, died peacefully at home in San Francisco on July 27, 2017.
Born on February 24, 1931, David was the son of Peter Dwight Donlon and Helen Frances Selby and was named for his maternal grandfather David Francis Selby. His paternal grandfather, Charles Donlon, was an early Ventura County citrus and avocado rancher and his maternal great grandfather “Lucky” Baldwin, built Santa Anita racetrack and developed major parts of Southern California and Lake Tahoe.
David and his younger sister, Diana, spent their childhood in Piedmont and summers in Inverness. After graduating from Piedmont High School, David followed his parents to the University of California, Berkeley where his father had stroked the Cal Crew team to Olympic gold in Amsterdam in 1928. A member of the class of ‘54, he studied business and pledged Zeta Psi fraternity where he made many lifelong friends.
David later attended Hotel School in San Francisco opening and managing the University Club in Palo Alto. In the early 1960s he was introduced to Suzanne Saunders, an American raised in Mexico. In June of 1962, dozens of friends joined the couple for their wedding in Mexico City.
On his numerous travels David was often mistaken for the late actor Jimmy Stewart and was once mobbed by autograph seekers in Japan. He was able to merge his passion for travel with business when he and his friend Ed Conner formed Donlon and Conner, Ltd., a travel company based for several decades in the Russ Building.
An excellent dancer, David was the president of the San Francisco Waltz Society for 25 years as well as president of the San Francisco branch of the English Speaking Union. For many years he served as a reviewer for the University of California’s Incentive Awards Program for San Francisco public high school students, and on the boards of the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, St. Elizabeth’s home, the St. Andrews Society, the California Historical Society and the Associates of Children’s Hospital.
A natural bon vivant, David and friends would meet monthly in the basement of “Engine 31,” an old firehouse to take turns preparing gourmet meals. He was also a member of the Inverness Yacht Club, the Pacific Union Club and the California Society of Pioneers.
An avid gardener, no detail was too small to escape his discerning eye and he sought beauty in all he did. Known for his style and whimsy, David loved vintage cars, watches, paperweights, hats, records and wine. Of his many collections, however, he was most fond of his circle of wonderful friends many of whom he knew for 60-70 years. He was greatly devoted to and appreciative of family and friends. Those who were lucky enough to be in his company will remember his tremendous creativity, elegance and, of course, his love of a fabulous party.
David is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years Suzanne, his devoted daughters: Diana, Frances and Alexandra; sons-in-law Warren Karlenzig; Sam Hinckley and Jeff Treene; grandchildren Jackson & Owen Karlenzig; Sam & Suzie Hinckley; Katie & Charlie Treene as well as his sister Diana Donlon Caldwell and brother-in-law, Bernie Caldwell and brother and sister-in-law John and Mary Jo Saunders; an adopted sister Eve Donlon, six nieces and nephews as well as many Donlon, Selby and Baldwin cousins.
A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 pm on Monday, August 28th at St. Anselm’s Church in San Anselmo. Those who wish to honor David’s memory can make a donation to help the needy in West Marin (checks to St. Vincent de Paul c/o of Sacred Heart Church Box 79, Olema, CA 94950) or the Inverness Garden Club Scholarship Fund (Box 200, Inverness, CA 94937).