Obituary for Don Que Hewett
Born and raised in Frederick, OK, the son of Earl & Katurah Matthews Hewett. Don graduated from Frederick High School in 1950. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of Oklahoma, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He received his degree in Optometry from Columbia University School of Optometry in New York City.
Don entered the U. S. Army Medical Service Corp as an Optometry officer in1956, serving two years on Okinawa and three years in Germany. Dr Hewett was assigned to the 279th Station Hospital in Berlin Germany this is where he met the love of his life Ingrid. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain in 1961, at which time he returned to Oklahoma City to begin his practice alongside Dr. K. E. Smith in South Oklahoma City, retiring in 2010. He served as Adjunct Faculty for the Southern College of Optometry in 1957 facilitating student internships.
He was a member of the Oklahoma Optometric Association and American Optometric Association since 1956. Served on the OOA Board of Directors from 1964-69, before serving as the President of the Oklahoma Optometric Association in 1970. Don was instrumental in the creation of the Oklahoma Optometric Political Action Committee and remained active with OOPAC until his death.
Appointed to the Medical Advisor Committee of the State Department of Institutions, Social & Rehabilitative Services in 1972 serving for four years.
Served as the coordinator of the Capitol Hill Lions Optometric Center, a clinic which was open two afternoons a week, staffed by volunteer optometrists to see under privileged children, the clinic was housed at the Capitol Hill Lions Center on South Robinson, the Lions Clubs in the district paid for the glasses.
In 2000 he was selected as one of twenty ‘Oklahoma Optometrists of the Century’ and in 2001 was selected as the Oklahoma Optometrist of the year. He remained active in the State Optometric Association on several different committees. Member of the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians for over 50 years.
Don was active in many civic organizations. The Capitol Hill Jaycees from 1961-67 serving as president in 1964. South Oklahoma City Rotary Club from 1961 to present, serving as President in 1965. Both he and Ingrid are Paul Harris Fellows.
A steadfast promoter of the YMCA he served on the South Branch YMCA since 1966, serving as chairman 197-72, he worked also with the Greenbriar YMCA and along with others gave his time, talent and resources endeavoring to continue the Y's mission with the opening of the Earlywine YMCA in South Oklahoma City.
He served as Financial Chairman of the Sustaining Membership Committee for the Last Frontier Council Pathfinder District for the Boy Scouts of America 1976-82, receiving the Extra Miler Award for his hard work and continues to support the Boy Scouts.
Longtime member of the South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, serving in various capacities on their boards.
Don was appointed by Governor David Hall to the Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission in 1974 for a term of six years, in 1981 appointed by Governor George Nigh to serve on the Governor's Task force on County Government Reforms and in 1982 by Governor Nigh as a Regent on the Board of South Oklahoma City Junior College, now O.C.C.C, from 1982-89
With all of his professional and civic service Don always made time for his family, he and Ingrid were active members of Asbury Methodist Church while their children were growing up, later they began worshiping at Saint Lukes Methodist Church in Oklahoma City. He cherished the times they were able to be together with his loved ones, snow skiing, tennis, sailing, boating, water skiing and especially their retreats to the family home at Lake Tenkiller, especially over long holiday weekends. Many shared memories that will be thought of often and fondly remembered.
Don is survived by his loving and devoted wife Ingrid; three children; Shirley Courtney of Tulsa; Deanna "DeeDee" Elias of Oklahoma City and Jeffrey D. Hewett & his wife Kaye Linn of Broken Arrow. Six grandchildren Tanner Courtney, Casey Courtney, Grant Elias, Hailey Hewett, Parker Hewett and Carson Hewett.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the charity of the donor's choice.
Don entered the U. S. Army Medical Service Corp as an Optometry officer in1956, serving two years on Okinawa and three years in Germany. Dr Hewett was assigned to the 279th Station Hospital in Berlin Germany this is where he met the love of his life Ingrid. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain in 1961, at which time he returned to Oklahoma City to begin his practice alongside Dr. K. E. Smith in South Oklahoma City, retiring in 2010. He served as Adjunct Faculty for the Southern College of Optometry in 1957 facilitating student internships.
He was a member of the Oklahoma Optometric Association and American Optometric Association since 1956. Served on the OOA Board of Directors from 1964-69, before serving as the President of the Oklahoma Optometric Association in 1970. Don was instrumental in the creation of the Oklahoma Optometric Political Action Committee and remained active with OOPAC until his death.
Appointed to the Medical Advisor Committee of the State Department of Institutions, Social & Rehabilitative Services in 1972 serving for four years.
Served as the coordinator of the Capitol Hill Lions Optometric Center, a clinic which was open two afternoons a week, staffed by volunteer optometrists to see under privileged children, the clinic was housed at the Capitol Hill Lions Center on South Robinson, the Lions Clubs in the district paid for the glasses.
In 2000 he was selected as one of twenty ‘Oklahoma Optometrists of the Century’ and in 2001 was selected as the Oklahoma Optometrist of the year. He remained active in the State Optometric Association on several different committees. Member of the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians for over 50 years.
Don was active in many civic organizations. The Capitol Hill Jaycees from 1961-67 serving as president in 1964. South Oklahoma City Rotary Club from 1961 to present, serving as President in 1965. Both he and Ingrid are Paul Harris Fellows.
A steadfast promoter of the YMCA he served on the South Branch YMCA since 1966, serving as chairman 197-72, he worked also with the Greenbriar YMCA and along with others gave his time, talent and resources endeavoring to continue the Y's mission with the opening of the Earlywine YMCA in South Oklahoma City.
He served as Financial Chairman of the Sustaining Membership Committee for the Last Frontier Council Pathfinder District for the Boy Scouts of America 1976-82, receiving the Extra Miler Award for his hard work and continues to support the Boy Scouts.
Longtime member of the South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, serving in various capacities on their boards.
Don was appointed by Governor David Hall to the Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission in 1974 for a term of six years, in 1981 appointed by Governor George Nigh to serve on the Governor's Task force on County Government Reforms and in 1982 by Governor Nigh as a Regent on the Board of South Oklahoma City Junior College, now O.C.C.C, from 1982-89
With all of his professional and civic service Don always made time for his family, he and Ingrid were active members of Asbury Methodist Church while their children were growing up, later they began worshiping at Saint Lukes Methodist Church in Oklahoma City. He cherished the times they were able to be together with his loved ones, snow skiing, tennis, sailing, boating, water skiing and especially their retreats to the family home at Lake Tenkiller, especially over long holiday weekends. Many shared memories that will be thought of often and fondly remembered.
Don is survived by his loving and devoted wife Ingrid; three children; Shirley Courtney of Tulsa; Deanna "DeeDee" Elias of Oklahoma City and Jeffrey D. Hewett & his wife Kaye Linn of Broken Arrow. Six grandchildren Tanner Courtney, Casey Courtney, Grant Elias, Hailey Hewett, Parker Hewett and Carson Hewett.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the charity of the donor's choice.