Donald Baldwin

Past Virginia SAR President Don Baldwin Passes at Age 93

Past Virginia Society President Donald W. Baldwin passed away on April 17, 2023 at the age of 93.  Don was one of the earliest, longest-standing, and most dedicated members of the George Washington Chapter.  Born in Danville, VA on May 18, 1929, Don became a Chapter member in 1960 and served as Chapter President in 1963.  After his tenure, he continued his service to the Sons of the American Revolution, serving as Virginia SAR President 1969-70 and subsequently as Vice President General of the Mid-Atlantic District.  Don’s Virginia SAR legacy continues to live on through the Donald W. Baldwin Award, given annually to the Virginia SAR Chapter with the largest membership increase.  Don continued to be a regular attendee at Chapter and State meetings and events for six decades before eventually moving to Kettering, OH in 2020.  For more recent Virginia SAR members, however, Don was likely best known for the introduction he typically received during the annual July 4^th March to the Tomb and Wreath Laying at Mount Vernon as “the George Washington Chapter President when the first such commemoration was held” in the early 1960’s.

Don was an alumnus of both VMI and the University of Virginia and served two years in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.  He worked as an Administrative Assistant to two Republican members of the House of Representatives before joining the National Forest Products Association, working later at the White House Conference of Food, Nutrition, and Health under Richard M. Nixon, and eventually founding Donald Baldwin Associates.  He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joan (Jody) Bolling Baldwin; son, Alan H. Baldwin; and daughter Elizabeth B. Chryst.  His eldest son, Winston M. Baldwin, preceded him in death.  He is also survived by his daughter-in-law Kate E. Baldwin, seven grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

Don was also one of the founding parishioners of St. Andrew and St. Margaret of Scotland (Anglican Catholic Church) in Alexandria, VA.  Among other duties, Don served as Senior Warden and Sunday School teacher.  A requiem service for Don will be held at St. Andrew and St. Margaret’s at 11:00 am on May 8^th.  A private, family-only burial will be held in the Baldwin plot in Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem, VA.  Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be made at www.routsong.com.

Don touched the lives of many Compatriots in the SAR, and especially within the George Washington Chapter. He is remembered fondly and with great respect.

VASS