Donald Joseph de la Pena ’59 passed away on August 20, 2014. He was a resident of San Jose, meticulous planner of cities and just about everything else, lover of nature and art, avid photographer, history buff, and mostly . . . loving, generous, and caring husband, father, and grandfather. These are the qualities that Donald de la Pena contributed to this life, qualities that many people only aspire to. Donald left us too early and too quickly. He leaves behind his wife of 28 years, Carmel Foglia de la Pena, and five children and step-hildren: Michael de la Pena, Kimberly Taggart, Chris Dunia, Stephen Foglia, and Barbara Duggan. Donald had eight grandchildren: Kai de la Pena, Joseph Taggart, Zachary Dunia, Cody Dunia, Joseph Duggan, Jillian Duggan-Herd, Michael Duggan and Jonathan Duggan.

Born in Oceanside Long Island, New York, on April 8, 1936, Donald moved to California in 1949 with his parents and sister. Donald received his Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Santa Clara University and then achieved a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning from University of California at Berkeley. Donald worked as a City Planning Director for his entire career, most recently for the City of Menlo Park. After retirement, he managed Carmel’s art business. He loved to go on trips with his wife, where he photographed nature, and Carmel would turn the beautiful things he captured in photos into paintings.