Donald Edward Daume

Donald Edward Daume June 1, 1945 — December 19, 2025

Donald Edward Daume, 80, passed away on December 19, 2025, leaving behind a legacy defined not only by professional success but by a lifetime of quiet, steadfast service to his community. A resident of New Jersey, Don was a man who believed that showing up mattered, and he dedicated his life to the support of the people and institutions he held dear.

Born in Jersey City on June 1, 1945, to Harold Charles and Eda Biber Daume, Don was a natural academic with a precise, engineering mind. He earned his Bachelor of Engineering cum laude (1967) and his Master of Engineering (1968) from Stevens Institute of Technology. While he remained a proud alumnus and former faculty member (1968-1970), his life's work extended far beyond the campus gates.

Don's professional career was characterized by leadership and versatility. He held executive and management roles across a spectrum of major corporations, including Babcock & Wilcox, Scott Paper Company, Chemico, M.W. Kellogg, Warner-Lambert, and General Electric Environmental Services. In 1987, he served as the President of Garden Holding Company, Inc after 9 years there.

However, Don's true impact was felt most deeply in his role as a soft-spoken contributor to his community. He was not one to seek the spotlight; rather, he was the person who ensured the work got done behind the scenes. He gave his time and attention generously to a wide variety of causes, viewing service as a lifelong obligation.

As an Eagle Scout, Don gave back to the Boy Scouts of America as a Scoutmaster and Explorer Post Advisor, eventually becoming a Life Member of the National Eagle Scout Association. From 1971-1974 he served as a member of the The Art Institute of Chicago.

He was also a dedicated Freemason for nearly 60 years. Initiated on September 21, 1966, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on December 7, 1966, he embodied the Masonic values of brotherly love and relief until he was "raised to the lodge on high."

Don's spirit of care was very visible at the First Reformed Church of Hasbrouck Heights. As an Elder, Don viewed his role as one of connection. He was keenly aware of who was in the pews and who was not. It was his practice to reach out to those who were missing—making phone calls or writing handwritten notes—simply to ensure they knew they were missed and that they remained a valued part of the community.

Don was a "joiner" in the best sense of the word, lending his financial acumen and steady hand to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (serving as chapter treasurer, director, vice chairman, and chairman), to the Stevens Alumni Association, to the American Association of Cost Engineers, to Sigma Xi, and to the United States Badminton Association, among others.

Don Daume was a man of quiet strength, a quick wit, an observer of details, and a faithful friend who ensured no one felt forgotten. He is survived by his nieces and nephews David Daumé, Lori Daumé, Patti Petroff, and Hal Daumé III, his great nieces and nephews Dylan, Samantha, Jove, Veeda and Elliot, his cousin Alice Biber, sister-in-law Linda Sausville, step-nephew and niece Kenneth and Gretchen, and a large community of friends, colleagues, masons, neighbors and church members who were the beneficiaries of his lifetime of kindness.

A service will be held celebrating Don's life on April 11, 2026 from 10:00am - 11:00am at the First Reformed Church of Hasbrouck Heights at 300 Washington Place, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. This will be followed by an interment at noon at Fairview Cemetery at 500 Fairview Ave, Fairview, NJ. Finally, the Euclid Masonic Lodge No. 136 will host a repast from 3:00pm - 5:00pm at 200 Division Ave., Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. All are welcomed with open arms to any or all of these celebrations. Arrangements are by Costa Memorial Home in Hasbrouck Heights.