DONALD L. NEUMANN

Cantwell resident Donald L. Neumann, 74, died Sept. 22, 2001, at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.

No services are planned at the present time.

Mr. Neumann was born Oct. 1, 1926, in Wichita, Kan. He came to Alaska in 1975, and resided in the Bush at Valdez Creek for 21 years. He had resided in Cantwell since 1995.

Prior to moving to Alaska he resided in Kansas, Missouri and Montana, where his occupations included gunsmithing, logging and working for the railroad.

Soon after arriving in Alaska he moved to the Bush and began a long and successful career of guiding, trapping and mining.

He retired in 1989 from the Valdez Creek Mine.

Friends and family said: "Don influenced the lives of many. One of his finest qualities was encouraging younger individuals to follow their dreams. He unselfishly shared his vision. Don's knowledge seemed limitless; there was nothing he couldn't do.

"Don was known for his wit and humor. One never knew if he was kidding or serious. He was adept at recounting his adventures and held many an attentive audience spellbound for hours.

"He loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was never happier than when outdoors flying, fishing, hunting or dog mushing.

"In recent years, gardening and his wildflower garden were where he spent much of his time."

Survivors are the love of his life, Mary Kay McDonald; canine buddy, Kobuck Pup; sister and brother-in-law, Charlotte and Bill Roepke; extended family, Betsy, Mark, Alexa, and Gretchen Gerlach, Belinda, Sam, Stephanie, Alex, Jordan, Matthew, Sophia and Zachariah Aboulmajid, Susan, Jim, Audrey, Destry and Nicholai Smith; and lifelong friends, Pete Ashley and Mona Kurtz.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory of Wasilla.