In Celebration of the Extraordinary Life of
Donald Everett Dodge
born on September 6, 1940 in Pasadena, California
and left us on January 30, 2026 in San Francisco
with his husband of 48 years, Jerome Singer, at his side.

Here below is the program which Jerry and I (Don’s sister, Dianne) created for Don’s Celebration on May 31, 2026.  It was a wonderful afternoon which took place in their beautiful Victorian Home in the Castro.  In attendance were over 80 dear friends and family, including several VA nurses and the volunteer who had organised the VA’s moving memorial for Don. 

We were also wonderfully blessed with the music of Don’s piano coach and dear friend Eric Zivian, along
with dear friends Tanya Tomkins on Cello and Jef Caers on Flute.  

Don’s nieces Michelle, Krissy and Suzanne provided the beautiful flowers that graced Don and Jerry’s home.  Good friend, …., the chef from the French Embassy, provided a lovely buffet of delicious goodies and our dear friend Norberto (Obie) …. gifted the beverages we joyfully imbibed as well as sharing his extraordinary aesthetic talents in many of the visual displays of Don’s achievements – most notably the magnificent placement of Don’s bike, a playful jersey, his shoes and all of his medals.

I carried a small purse about with lipstick, tissues and my camera with the intension of capturing as many moments of the afternoon as I could, but I was so deeply touched by everyone I spoke with that the thought of pulling out my camera never even crossed my mind.  So what transpired on that extraordinary afternoon is documented only in the hearts of all those lovely souls who were there.

But the documentation we can share are the many photos Jerry and I chose for the slide show highlighting many precious moments of Don’s life.  Special thanks go again to Obie as well as Suzanne’s husband Rick’s IT talents for getting our show up and running on the big screen for all to enjoy.  And here it is for you to see again or for the first time if you were unable to attend.  
Following the show are many of the same stills with identifying details.

These gorgeous first images of Don’s life need no explanation other than to notice the kind-hearted warmth
and depth of intelligence already so apparent in Don’s earliest gazes.

Here he is with his mother Bernice Aloha Leonard Dodge Ferrari born in San Diego in 1922
and his baby brother Richard Anthony Dodge born in 1942.

Then in 1944 Bernice met my father, Larry Ferrari.  They married in 1945 and I was born in Salinas in 1947.

Here they are on their first day of school in Berkeley and a few years later as boy scouts and wannabe cowboys
in Watsonville where we lived from 1948 to 1951.   And it was during these years that Don – under his own initiative –
found a piano teacher and used his weekly 50 cents allowance to pay for his lessons.

After a rocky start to Bernice and Larry’s marriage our Mom had the good sense to get us all out of Watsonville
and bring us all back to Berkeley where we each thrived despite the continued rockiness of the marriage.
We were her 3-D’s when she was in a good mood and her “Rotten Kids!” when she wasn’t.

Then while Don and Dick were in high school their paternal Grandmother Iva Ballard Dodge Pennoyer tracked her
grandson’s down and came to visit with their Aunt Janice.  This meeting paved the way to their meeting
their father Don Senior who enabled both of their university educations at a time when our father –
struggling with a new business – could not have done.   This was a tremendous boost for two young men whose
innate talents and strong wills would have earned them success no matter what.  But being a USC graduate was an
undeniable leg up for Dick’s future business success.  And in addition to Don’s two degrees from UC Berkeley in electrical engineering,  he was able to replace our humble upright piano for a much deserved baby grand.

During Don’s early university years he also served in the naval reserve.  Stationed at Whidbey Island in Washington State
he was responsible for readying planes for take offs and landings on aircraft carriers.  And throughout his life he never stopped reminiscing about the thrills he experienced being on board for over 70 flights – all before he was twenty –
one of which missed the hook and only barely escaped a watery crash – a story he’d tell with glee!

The following collages were produced a few years ago when I was more interested in aesthetic design than chronological accuracy, so please enjoy them as such.  This particular collage below follows Don through several school years, with his scout buddies, his Naval Service portrait, and a fun swim with high school girlfriend Pat and me.  It also highlights and our 1965 graduation celebrations – Don from the University of California, and me from Berkeley High,

Continuing with my lack of chronological congruity, the collage below captures
some of my favorite photos of Don taken over several years.
The first finds him working as a research assistant and then Project Manager at the University of Hawaii
where he participated in the early development of time sharing systems used at the time for student training.
Later photos capture him in his prime, celebrating his 45th birthday and posing in his characteristic elegance,
in the beautiful Victorian home he shared with the love of his life – his husband of 48 years – Jerry.

And here he is with Jerry not long after their meeting in Provincetown, Massachusetts in the early Fall of 1977
and shortly after Jerry’s move to San Francisco from NYC to live with Don.

And over their nearly 50 years together they cared for three beloved feline companions – Toby, Wysi and Bodie – all of whom were equally adored by their “Grandma” Bernice.

The collage below displays Don’s culinary talents  – both at home with Jerry and at his brother Dick’s
with sister-in-law Ginny, her mother Lena, and nieces Michelle and Kris.

And below are both individual photos and collages capturing Don & Jerry among friends and family at
weddings, birthdays and other family holiday get – togethers.

Here’s another favorite collage – a glowing Michelle on her wedding day, Grandma Alice and Jerry in heated debate about something and a smattering of fun casual gatherings.

Don’s work history in Hawaii, Canada and France and the dear friends he and Jerry made along the way.

Bernice’s 3D’s and her 3rd son Jerome no longer Spring Chicken’s.  But still as “rotten as ever”!