Donald Warren Bachman was born February 10, 1936 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He passed away January 16. 2018 in Eureka. He was the oldest son of Warren and Julia Bachman.
It was growing up in Milwaukee where he developed his lifelong passions of singing and collecting stamps. Don sang in the church choir during his youth, and he also enjoyed the outdoors. After his high school graduation he enlisted in the Army. It was while stationed north of Bremen, Germany where he met his wife, Helma Pelka. They married in Milwaukee after Don left the Army. Don and Helma had their first son, Kert, in 1959 and shortly after that he received his degree in Business at University of Milwaukee.
In 1960 Don took a job with the Forest Service in administration. The family lived first in Susanville and in 1961 he transferred to Yreka, where his son Keith was born. Eventually the family settled in Santa Barbara until 1975. In Santa Barbara he passed on his love for the outdoors to his children and the family spent vacations sailing, camping and traveling in Europe.
In 1975 Don and his family moved to Eureka, where he continued his career with the Forest Service as the administrative officer for the Six Rivers National Forest. In Eureka he joined groups in the community such as Southwest Rotary, and he sang with the Humboldt Harmonaires for many years. He also attended the Humboldt Stamp Collectors Club meetings.
In 1976 he received an MBA from Humboldt State University and went on to teach Business at College of The Redwoods after his retirement from the Forest Service.
Don and Helma traveled the world after his retirement, to destinations like Egypt, Turkey, Thailand and Germany, where they visited Helma’s family in Bremen. Don loved travelling because in part he loved people and made friends wherever he went.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, his son Kert, his wife Helma and his daughter-in-law Laurie Bachman. Don is survived by his younger brothers: Tom and his wife Myong Suk of Richland Center, Wisconsin and Jim and his wife Rose of Los Angeles; his son Keith Bachman and his wife Kim Pinches of Eureka; his grandson Kert Bachman and his wife Samantha of Eureka; his grandsons Piers Bachman and Kristopher Carbine of Colorado and granddaughter Larissa Carbine, also of Colorado. Don also leaves behind his great-grandchildren Zoey, Sophia and Warren Bachman of Eureka. Don also has many surviving nieces, nephews and friends. He will also be missed by his friend and colleague of many years, Murray Dulac.
Don had many rewarding hobbies, a long career doing what he loved and the joy of world traveling, but what he treasured the most was his family. He set an example of a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be remembered and missed because of his unconditional love and unwavering support in all of their endeavors, and challenges. Don was kind, intelligent, funny, talented and loved by family and friends. He will be remembered fondly and is deeply missed.
A memorial for Don will be held on February 6, at 2 pm at Emanuel Lutheran Church — 3230 Harrison Avenue, Eureka. The family invites friends to join them in celebration of Don’s life.
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