Dr. Donald Kilgore

Dr. Don Kilgore was a man known for his loyalty; loyalty to his family, his friends, his patients, and his community. Serving people was a vital part of his life and he pursued this endeavor energetically. Spending a lifetime devoted to service in Kalamazoo made him an integral part of the community and presented many opportunities to impact those whom he saw on a regular basis.

The world was struggling through the Great Depression and events in Europe were making World War II inevitable. This was the world Donald Kilgore entered on September 15, 1936, in Kalamazoo. The son of Herschel and Mildred (Krieger) Kilgore, Donald was the second of two children. Don grew up on the Kilgore family farm located on the corner of Lovers Lane and Kilgore, across the street from the current location of Loy Norrix High School. Some of his childhood activities served to foreshadow his future career in dentistry, such as turning an old stool upside down and filling the holes in the bottoms of the legs with tin foil.

Don attended Milwood School during a time when reading, writing, and arithmetic were the standard and the principal’s office was a feared destination. He formed many friendships at Millwood Junior High School and excelled in all of his classes. Don was studious, but high school life was also filled with athletics. Serving as a running back, he was captain of his football team and also starred on the golf team. Don graduated from State High School in 1954. After graduation, he attended the University of Michigan, transferred to Kalamazoo College for a year, and then returned to U of M Dental School.

While Don was at State High School he began dating a young lady, Ruth. Their paths had crossed many years earlier as they were classmates from Kindergarten through the third grade. Their love grew until their engagement Christmas Day in 1958. They were married in the rectory of St. Joseph Catholic Church on September 5, 1959.

In 1963 Don achieved one of his life long dreams, a dream that began when he filled the stool legs with tin foil, he graduated from the University of Michigan Dental School!

He started his own practice on the west side of Kalamazoo in a small office on Piccadilly Street. Later he moved his office to Northampton. Don was an excellent dentist, but his friendly, compassionate manner was what endeared him to his patients, many of whom considered him a friend. After thirty-five years of service, he retired and became an instructor at KVCC Dental Hygienist School. Eventually he and Ruth spent their later retirement years at their condominium in St. Petersburg Beach, Florida.

Don and his wife were dedicated to building a strong family together. The time he saved for his two children was the most precious, helping them with their homework, protecting them, playing games, and allowing the family’s home to become a gathering place for his children’s friends. He encouraged them in their endeavors and guided them to adulthood. He and his son were best friends. For many years family vacations were spent around the St. Petersburg Beach condo. Don treasured these times with his family. The births of his grandchildren gave him more opportunities to show his love and share his time. He spent countless hours with them, playing and even changing diapers.

Don had varied interests and pursued them all with vigor. Golf was one of his greatest loves. After college, he pursued it in earnest when he joined Gull Lake Country Club in 1964. He played three times each week and after retirement played daily. Trips with his golfing buddies to courses across the state and country were some of the greatest times of his life. Don was also a faithful Wolverine. He attended as many U of M football games as he could. His family and friends gathered for years to tailgate with him and enjoy his famous Bloody Marys. The last twenty years were spent tailgating in the same spot to insure that friends could find him and enjoy time together. Other hobbies centered on food. He loved seafood, oysters, and frog legs. He was an excellent cook, but some of his more exotic concoctions failed to impress his wife and children. Don also enjoyed musicals such as Les Miserables, West Side Story, and The Phantom of the Opera.

He was a former member of the Kalamazoo Lions Club and a Life member of the American Dental Association.

Don valiantly battled stomach cancer for the past two years. His wife cared for him at home with the same love and support she had given for forty-four years. His last two days were spent in hospice. Don died Saturday, September 6, 2003, at Rose Arbor Hospice. He was preceded in death by his brother, Gerald Kilgore, in 1984.

Donald is survived by his wife Ruth (Niedzielski) Kilgore. Also surviving are two children, Cathy (Fred) Rickelmann and Kenneth (Michelle) Kilgore, both of Ann Arbor; six grandchildren, Taylor, Ethan, Troy, and Kyle Rickelmann, and Mackenzie and Lauren Kilgore; sister-in-law Jean Kilgore of Kalamazoo; brother and sister-in-law Dick and Stella Niedzielski of Kalamazoo; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received Tuesday, September 9, from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at Betzler Funeral Homes, Kalamazoo Chapel. A Celebration of Life Service will be held there Wednesday, September 10, at 11 AM, Rev. Donald DeYoung officiating. Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. To read Don’s complete life story, share a memory, send flowers, or make a memorial contribution to Rose Arbor Hospice, Community Advocate for Persons with Disabilities, or Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Michigan Chapter, please visit his personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com.

Donald Kilgore was a man with a passion for what he did, pursuing excellence in his career, his hobbies, and his relationships. He touched many during his lifetime and will be missed by each one.

“At the shrine of friendship, never say die…”

- “Drink with Me (to Days Gone By),” Les Miserables