Donald L. Zekan, 73, passed away on the morning of 15 July, two years after being diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandra (Dolan) Zekan.

Don was born in Mt. Pleasant, PA, the son of the late George and Helen (Wasko) Zekan. Don attended the University of Pittsburgh, earning a BA in Political Science.

After serving as a lieutenant during the Vietnam War, Don used the GI Bill to advance his education. He received a MS in Accounting from Bentley, a MA in Public Administration and a Doctorate in Education from UMass Amherst.

Before his retirement in 2009, Don served as Vice Chancellor for Administrative and Fiscal Services at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. He had previously served the following institutions of higher education: St. Bonaventure University, Massasoit Community College, and Bunker Hill Community College.

Don was an avid adventurer and loved working outdoors for the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust (DNRT). He spent his free time woodworking, playing golf, and traveling the world with his wife Sandy. His most recent trip with Sandy and several close friends was to Cuba in January.

Surviving, in addition to his wife Sandy, are his children, Emily Z. Brown and her husband, Aaron, of Dartmouth, and Peter L. Zekan and his wife, Meghann, of Havertown, PA; his grandchildren Ezra Brown and Vera Zekan; and his siblings George Zekan and his wife Jean of La Canada, CA, Helen Brown of Pittsburgh, PA, and Bob Zekan of Scottdale, PA.

Don’s funeral mass was held at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Rd., Dartmouth.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the DNRT, PO Box 70567, Dartmouth MA 02747, or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave, Ste. 200, Manhattan, CA 90266 or pancan.org.