CEO's Letter

LETTERLETTERFROMFROMTHETHECEO:CEO:

This past year has been one of the most tumultuous that I can remember. I feel extremely grateful to have lived this last year in Northwest Oklahoma. I believe we have been spared many of the challenges that other parts of the world have endured. In spite of our relative well-being, I have lost several friends from COVID-19. One in particular had been passionately engaged in the life of our University. That person was Donovan Reichenberger.

I first met Donovan in the '80s while I was attending Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Since I was a history major and he was a history faculty member, our paths crossed repeatedly. I was in a couple of his history classes. But, I never really knew him until I came back and accepted my current position in the summer of 2005. Donovan was a trustee on the Executive Committee that offered me the opportunity to assume my current professional duties.

By the time I returned, Donovan had retired from the University after more than 25 years teaching. He had served almost 20 years on the Foundation Board, with most of that as chairman of the Investment Committee. As I began my second career, I leaned on Donovan’s experience for both professional and personal counsel.

I believe we understood each other because of our similar experiences. Donovan had spent 18 years in the Navy before an accident to his hand had terminated his military career. I had just completed 20 years of service in the Army and was attempting to acclimate to a completely different work culture. His willingness to mentor and his frank conversations were invaluable to me as I started a new profession. We also enjoyed a friendly banter having served in two rival branches of service.

When Donovan lost his wife six months after I started, I tried to include him in more things both on and off duty. Since he and Dorothy never had any children, I tried to look out for him and provide support as he worked through the transition of living alone after decades of marriage.

It was after Dorothy’s passing that I was allowed to see and appreciate the inner Donovan Reichenberger often hidden by a gruff exterior. He was funny, generous, brilliant, sensitive and ultraorganized.

Ride Rangers, Ride!

Allen E.

“Skeeter” Bird

Chief Executive Officer Northwestern Foundation & Alumni Association Class of 1985

He loved trees, students, the Catholic Church and, of course, Dorothy with all his heart. He did his best to remain impeccably dressed and taught me a great deal about the subject. We had many discussions about suits, shirts and shoes. He was a constant teacher and a continuous learner.

I have many fun memories and stories of Donovan. He became very important to my family. My wife and three daughters were pretty regular about sending fresh jelly, blackberry pie and other goodies to Donovan. They always made sure he was on the “Singing Valentine” fundraising route when the girls were in the high school choir.

Donovan used to call my youngest daughter, Liberty, his “girlfriend" . She was five years old when my friendship with Donovan began. As a teenager, she cleaned his house to help keep gas in her vehicle. Liberty is now a junior at Northwestern and has been a big help to me over the last few years as I worked to keep Donovan in a good place and to fulfill my pledges to him.

It was through Donovan that I forged a friendship with Kimberly Weast, the chair of Northwestern’s Fine Arts Department. As she sought to steward the generous gifts Donovan made to her department, we unintentionally became non-biological children to Donovan. Together we consulted on health and safety issues for Donovan, much like any other brother and sister would for an aging parent. We never overcame his German resolve to refuse hearing aids; but, we did succeed on several other important issues. In retrospect, it was a pleasant opportunity to work in partnership.

Donovan has left an incredible example and an enduring legacy for many of us. For those of you who never knew him, you missed a wonderful human being. For those of you who did know him, I expect you feel like I do. I was blessed with the opportunity to know him and to call him my friend.