Donald E. Chambers

On Friday, February 3, Donald E Chambers, loving father, grandfather, and faithful, fierce friend, passed away peacefully aged 93 years old.

Don was born on Black Friday in Denver Colorado to Jack Chambers and Ruth Swenson. His mother moved all over the US, but he was able to find the love of his life in Omaha NE. He married Mary Anne McKillip and they had three children, Kristin, Jane, and Timothy. He had three grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren, and even a great-great grandchild.

Don was a professor at the School of Social Welfare, University of Kansas, specializing in research and policy development. In spite of how dry that sounds, he was in equal measure revered and feared by his students. He considered it his duty to make any organization or group in which he found himself better, whether or not said group considered such improvement necessary.

An avid sailor, Don sallied forth on local lakes, great lakes, and even the Atlantic Intercoastal Waterway from Miami to Lake Ontario. Loving the outdoors, he skied, hiked, and hunted.

Throughout his life, Don had an uncanny ability to make good and loyal friends. He thought the secret of making and keeping friends such as he had was that he was able to learn as much  from them as they did from him. Participating in the world in all its magnificence and glory, Don spent a lifetime learning all the lessons he could. His family and friends will miss his presence in their lives.

A visitation is set for 2:00 ~ 3:00 om, Monday, February 6, 2023, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence, KS, with a memorial service at 3:00 pm.

The family suggests memorials in Don’s name to VNA Hospice or Mary Anne Chambers scholarship fund through KU Endowment and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.