Don Wahlquist was the sort of man who stood up when a woman joined his dining table. He knew to take his hat off inside a building. But there was more to him than his beloved genteel manners. He was wise above his peers, and generous with his time and advice. And when the Swedish Club was withering in the 2010s, Don was dedicated to saving it.

Don and his wife, Carolyn, were members of the Club for decades, even announcing their engagement at the Club on Valentine’s Day in 1962. He served as president from 1999 to 2001 and returned for several terms as treasurer in 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2014. As a former banker, he brought financial skills to his elected positions and provided essential advice during the planning for the purchase of the Dexter Street Annex.

Don was a founding board member of the Jane Isakson Lea Foundation, overseeing the overall donation of almost $2.5 million to the Swedish Club. People who knew him will miss the unwavering diplomacy and kindness he displayed toward everyone he met. Don passed away on January 31, 2026. A memorial was held in his honor at Bethany Covenant Church in Mount Vernon, Washington, on February 14.