The self-described “cheerful curmudgeon," Donald True Van Deusen (born January 19, 1929), passed away in Philadelphia on January 13, 2009, six days shy of his 80th birthday.
Van Deusen's wry, yet elegant, views were eagerly awaited by Philadelphia area newspaper readers for more than 20 years. His social commentary, music and arts columns poignantly enriched the Weekly Press, Philadelphia Enquirer, Daily News, Metro, and the Welcomat among others. He also wrote about jazz, the music he loved, for the website All About Jazz.
Serving in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, Van Deusen worked as a forward control, chief radio operator. The GI Bill helped pave the way to a journalism degree from New York University where he graduated in 1955. He was a member of the journalism honorary society, Kappa Tau Alpha, and was awarded the Joyce Kilmer short story prize. After working as a newspaper reporter, following college, he spent the next thirty years as a public relations and advertising executive for numerous major corporations, including Bell of Pennsylvania and Northern Telecom.
After retiring from corporate life, Van Deusen continued to champion renowned as well as unsung area musicians. With his columns trumpeting their talent, he earned “Keeping Jazz in Philadelphia Alive" awards. Those who knew him remember him for his stories and history lessons about the glory days of jazz.
No traditional service is planned at this time. Van Deusen liked the upbeat spirit of a lively New Orleans street funeral marching band and repeatedly said, “scatter my ashes off the George Washington Bridge and play 'Oh, didn't he ramble!'"
He leaves his loving wife, Dorothy S. (Nasson) Van Deusen of Philadelphia; son, Scott, and his girlfriend, Anna, of Cambridge MA; brother, Lawrence, and his wife, Antonia, of Manalapan (English Town), NJ; step-children Allison Towne Mackay and her husband, Mitch, of East Jordan, MI, Philip Towne and his wife, Maggie, of Rowley, MA, and Stephen Towne of Nashville, TN.
For more information please contact: Phil Towne at 617-548-6693.
Van Deusen's wry, yet elegant, views were eagerly awaited by Philadelphia area newspaper readers for more than 20 years. His social commentary, music and arts columns poignantly enriched the Weekly Press, Philadelphia Enquirer, Daily News, Metro, and the Welcomat among others. He also wrote about jazz, the music he loved, for the website All About Jazz.
Serving in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, Van Deusen worked as a forward control, chief radio operator. The GI Bill helped pave the way to a journalism degree from New York University where he graduated in 1955. He was a member of the journalism honorary society, Kappa Tau Alpha, and was awarded the Joyce Kilmer short story prize. After working as a newspaper reporter, following college, he spent the next thirty years as a public relations and advertising executive for numerous major corporations, including Bell of Pennsylvania and Northern Telecom.
After retiring from corporate life, Van Deusen continued to champion renowned as well as unsung area musicians. With his columns trumpeting their talent, he earned “Keeping Jazz in Philadelphia Alive" awards. Those who knew him remember him for his stories and history lessons about the glory days of jazz.
No traditional service is planned at this time. Van Deusen liked the upbeat spirit of a lively New Orleans street funeral marching band and repeatedly said, “scatter my ashes off the George Washington Bridge and play 'Oh, didn't he ramble!'"
He leaves his loving wife, Dorothy S. (Nasson) Van Deusen of Philadelphia; son, Scott, and his girlfriend, Anna, of Cambridge MA; brother, Lawrence, and his wife, Antonia, of Manalapan (English Town), NJ; step-children Allison Towne Mackay and her husband, Mitch, of East Jordan, MI, Philip Towne and his wife, Maggie, of Rowley, MA, and Stephen Towne of Nashville, TN.
For more information please contact: Phil Towne at 617-548-6693.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
