Donald W. Scott

Donald W. Scott, a Terre Haute native who was a business and community leader for more than 60 years, died Saturday, May 27, 2023, at The Gibson Family Center for Hospice Care in Terre Haute.  He was 87.

Born to Robert S. Scott and Elizabeth (Fridrich) Scott on December 4, 1935, Don grew up in the Collett Park area and attended public schools.  He was graduated from Garfield High School in 1954 where he served as senior class president and earned 13 varsity letters as a Purple Eagle athlete.  He then began studies at Indiana University, earning a baccalaureate degree from its School of Business in 1958.  At IU he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity and served as its president.

Don started his business career in sales and as assistant treasurer of Home Packing Company, a family-owned business in Terre Haute.  He joined another family business in 1964 when he began an insurance career that would continue for the remainder of his working life at Miller/Templeton/Scott Insurance Agency.  He was later the president of Sycamore Agency, Inc., in Terre Haute and retired in 2003 as chairman and CEO of ONB Insurance Group, Inc., which had acquired Sycamore.

His prescient and carefully studied interest in investing continued through his career and beyond retirement.  His expanded business interests included being a member of Lloyd’s of London; Suba Holdings, Inc. (now Scott Holding Co. Inc) which he served as president over many years; as president of North Acres Development Co., Inc.; as a member of the local Old National Bank advisory board; as treasurer and director for Employers Security Insurance Company; as an investor in Menchies Frozen Yogurt; and as president and managing partner of Donsu Investments, LLC.

Don’s leadership extended to multiple community and educational institutions.  He was a former director of the Greater Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce and the Alliance for Growth and Progress.  Don was a trustee for both Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, and served a stint as chairman of the Rose-Hulman board executive committee.  He was an emeriti director for the Indiana State University Foundation.  He also served as a board member and president of the Terre Haute YMCA.

In 2009, Indiana State University named the Donald W. Scott College of Business in recognition of a major gift from Don and his wife, Susan Templeton Scott.  Don and Susan loved the Terre Haute community.  They grew up here, built a successful business here, and wanted to give back in a way that made an impact for Terre Haute and the business community.

In 2018, Don and Susan gave a major gift to the Cardiology division of Loyola Medicine and in particular Dr. David Wilber.  Don would say at the time, “Dr. Wilber did far more than repair my heart; he gave me my life back”.

Although devoted to a long career in business, Don was equally attentive to a large family of four children, 11 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.  They remember him as the family patriarch, one with a mischievous grin and bold ideas for fun.  The family enjoyed vacations together with Don pushing the boundaries on vigorous activities and competitions and requiring an occasional rescue.  They called him “the Reefmaster.”  Although his “dadisms” could produce eyerolls from the next generations, they delighted in his role as family adviser and matchmaker.  He was the family gourmand, or thought he was, and offered unsolicited advice on recipes and meal preparation.  His most unique creation was a peanut butter and pickle sandwich.

Don and Susan led an active social life and cherished lifelong friendships with peers in Terre Haute and at their home in Naples, Florida.  They were members of the Country Club of Terre Haute.  Don especially enjoyed the shared competition and good times with his best friends in organizations such as ESPFL and JOLMAC.

Don Scott was serious about business and investing—as competitive in those endeavors as he had been as a high school athlete.  He was proud of achievements in all of those pursuits.  Yet he also cherished being a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  His family role is remembered for its love, wit, and good humor.

He is survived by his devoted spouse of 61 years, Susan; four children:  Shannon Scott McGinnis (Michael); Donald Templeton Scott (Anna); Courtenay Ann Scott; and Megan Miller Scott; 11 grandchildren:  Robert Ryan Padget (Jennifer), Grace Elizabeth Padget, Lillian Jane Yocom (Kurtis), Adam Miller Scott, Ryann Elaine Scott, Gregory Michael Newton, Caitlyn Molly Newton, Ava Jacqueline Scott, Caroline Elizabeth Scott, Oliver Vincent Scott Jachnik; and Audrey Sylvie Aurelia Jachnik; three great-grandchildren, Blake Gabou, Grant Gabou, and Noah Ivey; a sister, Barbara Scott Obenchain; and sisters-in-law Nancy Haynes (David) and Barbara Thornton (Matt).

Don was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Robert F. Scott; a sister Marilyn S. Allen, two sisters-in-law, Dolores (Dee) Templeton and Cecelia Eck Scott;  and two brothers-in-law, George Obenchain and William Allen.

The funeral is at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at St. Joseph University Parish, 113 S. 5th Street. Father Bob Showers is officiant. Visitation is at 11 a.m. Saturday until the service.  Burial will follow at Highland Lawn Cemetery.  Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

The family acknowledges with gratitude the assistance provided by VNA Home Care and Hospice of the Wabash Valley during Don’s final illness and the attentive support from Amber, Robin, Lisa, Kim, Tanya, Renee and Daryl from St. Joseph University Parish.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages friends to support the important work of VNA/Hospice of the Wabash Valley (myvnahospice.org), Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (rose-hulman.edu), or the Indiana State University Foundation (givetoindianastate.org).