March 02 1923 September 21 2019
Donald’s Obituary MOLTEN Donald Charles age 96, of Shaker Heights, OH, passed away on Sept. 21, 2019. Born March 2, 1923 in Newark, NJ to Lawrence and Dulcie Molten, Don married Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Holloway on March 21, 1952 at Heights Christian Church in Shaker Heights. He served in the US Navy as a pilot from 1943-1945. Don graduated from Springfield College in Springfield, MA in 1948, where he was part of the soccer team that won four national championships. He earned a master’s degree in education from Columbia University in 1951. After accepting a position in the athletic department at University School in Shaker Heights in 1948, Don spent the next 46 years as an exceptional teacher, coach, athletic director, and administrator at US, where he coached 11 different athletic teams. His soccer teams compiled a record of 337 wins, 103 losses, and 51 ties. He was a role model and mentor to generations of students and colleagues and remained active in alumni relations and development activities at University School. His many awards included the Ohio High School Soccer Coach of the Year (1987-88) and induction into the Ohio High School Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame (1992). Don authored a book titled We Are US in 1990 summarizing the history of athletics at University School. His teams had a reputation for competing at a high level, but always displaying sterling character and exemplary sportsmanship. He held a deep belief that his athletes should win and lose with equal grace. Sparkling blue eyes, engaging smile, quick wit, seemingly endless youthful appearance, effusive positivity and a steady hand-on-the-tiller made him a naturally magnetic leader. Don generously found time to spend with others seeking his company or advice and was quick to share a kind word with everyone no matter their rank and station in life. He was the ultimate gentleman’s gentleman of our country’s greatest generation. An excellent tennis player, Don was ranked first nationally in the USTA Western Division for players over 75 years of age and was recognized in the Sports Illustrated column “Faces in the Crowd”. He enjoyed spending time and playing tennis with his many friends at the Cleveland Racquet Club. Don was the recipient of a Fulbright Award in 1973 which created the opportunity to teach at the American School in London for a year. He was also a Deacon at Heights Christian Church and a Rotary member. Don is survived by his sister, Doris Smith of Westwood, NJ; his children Barbara Brown of Lafayette, IN, Susan (Charles) Shrodes of Medina, OH, and Donald (Patricia) Molten, Jr. of Hudson, OH; as well as his dear friend and traveling companion Judy Dannehy. He is also survived by his grandchildren Joshua Shrodes, Lauren (Brian) Horst, Lakin Brown, Tyler Brown, and Donald “Chip” (Taylor) Molten III. Great-grandchildren are Rachel, Aubrey, and Kaleb Shrodes. Don was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 50 years, Betty, in 2002. A celebration of Don’s life will be held on October 5, 2019, at University School’s upper school campus (2785 SOM Center Road, Hunting Valley, Ohio 44022) at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to University School – The Molten Chair of Athletics, 2785 SOM Center Road, Hunting Valley, Ohio 44022 or to The Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110. Read More
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Donald C Molten March 02 1923 September 21 2019.
Death notice for the town of: Twinsburg, state: Ohio