Donald B. Grant

Donald B. Grant, 91, of Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania, passed away on September 3, 2026, in the home that meant so much to him.

Born January 19, 1935, in Mishawaka, Indiana, Don was the son of the late Donald S. Grant and Helen (Budzin) Grant. He grew up next door to his grandparents and carried vivid memories of his childhood throughout his life. His adventures growing up during World War II and the years that followed became some of his favorite stories to tell.

Don attended Battell and Nuner Schools before his family moved to South Bend, where he graduated from John Adams High School in 1953. He attended Purdue University, where he studied mechanical engineering. Don also served in the Indiana National Guard and was honorably discharged in 1960.

In 1956, Don began a 49-year career with Dodge Manufacturing Corporation as a Sales Correspondent. His career took him from Indiana to Connecticut following his promotion, with responsibility for the New England sales territory, and later to Doylestown, Pennsylvania. He continued to advance within Dodge Manufacturing Corporation, serving as Territory Manager and Regional Manager before retiring in 2005. He was a longtime member of the Dodge Sales Council.

Although highly accomplished in sales, Don never thought of himself simply as a salesman. He considered himself a problem solver. He listened carefully to his customers, learned their businesses and challenges, and took personal satisfaction in helping them succeed. Customers often became lifelong friends. He earned the respect of colleagues and management through his thoughtful ideas, candid advice, and commitment to Dodge Industrial. For Don, business was ultimately about people and relationships.

Don met his wife Betty on a blind date in 1973. They both entered into a second marriage on August 7, 1974, in Ambler, Pennsylvania. That same month, they purchased their home in Gwynedd Valley, where they would spend the next 52 years together.

Don was a devoted husband. He and Betty enjoyed dining with friends, entertaining at home and, following his retirement, traveling throughout Europe and Canada, the American West and New England. At home, Don enjoyed grilling, working in the yard and taking care of the house. He loved Betty’s homemade apple pies. Through more than five decades together, Don was her true love, defender, biggest fan, and best friend.

Above everything else in Don’s life was his family. He was enormously proud of his children and grandchildren and loved telling others about their accomplishments. He was reliable and steadfast, but also warm, funny and easy to talk to. When something wonderful happened, Dad was the first person his children wanted to call. When something went wrong, he was also the first call they wanted to make.

He also made ordinary moments special. Weekend pancakes became a Grant family tradition that continued from his children’s childhood into the lives of his grandchildren. Something as simple as the biggest pancake or an unusually large potato chip could become a family game and a memory that lasted for decades.

Don was a gifted storyteller with a remarkable memory for names, places and details. His childhood stories were told with such expression that events from decades earlier seemed to have happened yesterday. Those who knew Don will remember a favorite story, funny observation, quip or limerick—and the pleasure he took in making others smile.

His Indiana family remained an important part of his life. Annual Fourth of July trips to South Bend were among his most anticipated traditions. He shared an especially close bond with his younger brother, Randy, his best friend growing up, and remained deeply devoted to his younger sister, Kathy. Their families shared many happy times together, including vacations at Klinger Lake.

Distance never prevented Don from maintaining a friendship. Childhood friends, high school friends, former colleagues and customers remained part of his life for decades. He loved a telephone call simply to catch up and often greeted family and friends with the familiar words, “Hi, I was just thinking about you. I’m so glad you called.”

Don enjoyed golf throughout his life, both watching and playing. The score was rarely the most important part of the game; he enjoyed the company, the course, and seeing those around him succeed. He also loved automobiles, car shows and car shopping. After years of considering the perfect retirement car, he special-ordered his dream car and especially enjoyed countryside drives with the top down and Betty, one of his children, or a grandchild beside him.

Retirement gave Don more time to enjoy the home he and Betty loved. His mornings often began with coffee, breakfast and several newspapers. He enjoyed following the local weather, caring for the house and yard, and calling to the mourning doves that visited the property.

Shortly after retiring in 2005, Don was diagnosed with bladder cancer. He was accepted into an experimental treatment program at Massachusetts General Hospital and ultimately overcame the disease. Years later he faced additional health challenges with the same determination and optimism that characterized his life. Don rarely complained and continued to treat doctors, nurses and caregivers with kindness and appreciation even when he was the one who needed their care.

The greatest lesson Don taught his family was to love unconditionally. It was not simply something he said; it was how he lived. He showed it through his devotion to Betty, his pride in his children and grandchildren, his love for his brother and sister, friendships maintained across decades and miles, and countless conversations in which he listened and made another person feel important.

Don is survived by his beloved wife, Betty; his sister, Kathy Bock (David); his daughter, Susanne Botti (Aaron); his son, James Grant (Jungmi); and his son, Ryan (Stephanie). He is also survived by his grandchildren, whom he loved dearly: Katherine, Lio, William and Christopher. Don was preceded in death by his brother, Randall Grant (Miki).

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Don’s life at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 18, 2026,  Reed & Steinbach Funeral Home, where relatives and friends will be received from 10:00 - 11:00 AM.  

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to support Bladder Cancer Research in gratitude for the care and treatment that gave Don many additional years with the family and friends he loved so dearly.

Memorial gifts can be made online at https://giving.massgeneral.org/ or checks can be made payable to Mass General Brigham with in memory of Donald B. Grant in the memo line and sent to: Mass General Brigham, Development Office, 399 Revolution Drive, Suite 1330; Somerville, MA 02145.