David Alan Donath

DAVID DONATH OBITUARY David Alan Donath, of Woodstock, died peacefully on Friday, November 25, 2022, at his home on Lake Groton, after battling a long illness. He was surrounded by family and friends. David was born on June 24, 1951 near Schenectady, N.Y. to Margaret Freda Donath and Gerhard Fred Donath. On July 1, 1979, he married Cathleen Ann Carley in a field of wildflowers in Wisconsin. Their love for one another endured for 46 years, a beautiful testament of his dedication to Cathy. David earned his B.A. and M.A. in history at the University of Vermont. During these years, David crewed the ferries of Lake Champlain, a true love for him. He then continued to University of Wisconsin to pursue his doctorate. In Wisconsin, David worked at the Wisconsin Historical Society in historic preservation and as a director of a historic site. This experience launched David, who later directed Strawberry Banke in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on a career path that led to his position as President of the Woodstock Foundation, which owns the Billings Farm & Museum and is an operating partner of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. He served as a Trustee of the Jackson Hole Preserve, Inc., in Wyoming, a member of the Vermont Civil War Commission and the Vermont Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and as a Trustee of Fort Ticonderoga. David is a former member of the Council and Chair of the American Association of State and Local History. He has served on the boards of the Forest History Society, Vermont Historical Society, Woodstock Historical Society, and Association for Living History, Farms and Agricultural Museums. He has held a Presidential appointment to the National Museum and Library Services Board. His passions were his family, heritage stewardship, sailing, sports cars, travel, historical preservation, music, and sharing stories with his loved ones. David was an avid boater, constantly on the lookout for loons, his beloved bird on Lake Groton. There was never a dull moment when David entered the room as he was able to capture his audience with laughter and joy. David is survived by his wife, Cathleen; daughter, Carley and her husband, Jon Nelson; son, James and his wife, Sasha Bolkovic; grandchildren, Carter Nelson, Parker Nelson, Tucker Nelson, Logan Donath, Hunter Nelson, and Mateo Donath. A memorial service will be held in January, details to be confirmed. There will be no visiting hours. His family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Vermont Historical Society (https://vermonthistory.org/donate) and to The Woodstock Foundation, Inc. (https://billingsfarm.org/woodstock-foundation/). Hale Funeral Home in Bradford is assisting the family.

Tributes

David Alan Donath

June 24, 1951 - November 25, 2022