Dr. Donald Ernest Waldern passed away on December 30, 2021, in Penticton, BC. He was predeceased by his wife Sharon in 2020 and is survived by children Joy (Steven), Trent (Sharon), Shelly, and Heather (Murray); grandchildren Shyla, Ian (Deidre), Megan (Brian), and Greg; and great-grandchildren Evie and Naomi.

Born in Lacombe, AB, on June 8, 1928, Don spent his youth until grade 9 in Ponoka, AB, where he formed a lifelong interest in agriculture. In 1948, he moved to Vancouver, where he completed high school at Lord Byng. He played football for the Vancouver Blue Bombers, who won a national title and were inducted into the BC Football Hall of Fame.

Don enrolled in UBC, receiving a bachelor's degree and master's degree in animal science. In 1953, he joined Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) as a research specialist at Prince George working on animal nutrition. In 1962, he obtained a PhD from Washington State University, where he became assistant professor (1962-1967) researching dairy production, ruminant physiology and nutrition. In 1967, Don re-joined AAFC as a research scientist in dairy cattle nutrition at Agassiz, BC. In 1973, he was appointed director of the Kamloops Range Research Station, staying five years until accepting a program specialist position at the Saskatoon research branch, coordinating research for 15 western AAFC stations. In 1980, Don was appointed director of the Lacombe research station, overseeing the planning and construction of a new meats facility and conference wing. Don was a major force in strengthening ties between agricultural producers and the food processing industry. A new oat variety developed at Lacombe, "Waldern oat," was named in Don's honour.

Retiring in 1989 to Summerland, Don and Sharon enjoyed loving family, good friends, church, gardening, sailing, curling, travel, and many trips to visit children and grandchildren. He will be deeply missed.