Remembering Founding Faculty Don Bushnell, Ph.D.

Don Bushnell, Ph.D.

With great sadness, we share the news about the loss of a beloved colleague and founding faculty member of Fielding’s Human and Organizational Development Program, Don Bushnell, Ph.D.  

On a personal note, Don was on the committee that hired me. From the moment I met him, I sensed the deep spirit of Fielding: that faculty aspired to rigorous academics combined with a love of learning and some laughter along the way. I can honestly say he was part of the reason I decided to choose Fielding over other institutions of higher learning. When I saw him last a few months ago with HOD faculty member Keith Melville, Don was his usual cheerful self, and although his memory was failing, he lit up when we talked about Fielding. He had such a love of this place helped to create and for the success of our students.   

Please take a moment to read the tribute from his long-time partner of 30 years, Julie Lopp. 

– President Katrina S. Rogers, Ph.D. 

Remembering Don Bushnell by Julie Lopp

 by Julie Lopp

Don Bushnell died at 6:53 p.m. on Monday, June 19, 2023.  

He was such a good man. Everyone loved Don. He was the quintessential PLAY-Mate! He didn’t need expensive equipment, and his games were of universal appeal to young and old alike. He was the “bubble man.” He’d circle swirl a soaped, dripping wet cord dangling from a red pole. He’d move around in circles embracing the wind, the delight with the applause, or the grand bubble accomplishment, then whoosh – a giant bubble was born to great applause. One never knew if it was the delight with the applause or the grand bubble accomplishment that was truly his motivation as he bowed for an encore.   

He was a collector of delightful peculiarities. He had a garden full of brilliant, technicolor neon signs which sometimes challenged the household electrical capacity. The stairway walls to his office were home to his nearly 100 egg collection ranging from the mundane to the exquisite – and then there were his favorite unanimated friends: Advertising Food DOLLS: The Pillsbury Dough Boy, Campbell Soup Girl, Ronald McDonald, Mr. Peanut, the list goes on.   

Many of his games are legends at his beloved Fielding Graduate University. Mention the word “Pruey,” and the stories tumble forth. I have photos of coronations for “The Queen of the Impossible” or the “King of Things Best Left Undone” — all members were adorned by makeshift crowns and costumery. His was the Fielding mascot: The FISH…. because it goes in schools. His official Fielding sport was Croquet, where he was almost always the team captain and usually the winner. The bagpipe player with his march to the sea, the striptease where the crowd cheered, “Put it ON, put it ON!” and the favored No Talent Show. Well, the stories abound.  

 I believe Don broke open the heart of Fielding.  

Don was a devoted agnostic/atheist/humanist member of the Unitarian Society. He was responsible for the Covenant of Good Relations, which is still practiced.  Years before its current urgency, he initiated solarizing the building, ran an Ecology Club in Parish Hall, and in his decades of membership served on multiple committees, multiple times.   

In his over 50 years of work, most nonprofits in Santa Barbara and several in Prague have benefited from his huge social conscience. He was a one-man band! He would design a consulting program, invite organizations to apply, raise funds from his loyal donor pool, hire a team of consultants, select the recipient, head up the team, execute meaningful work, evaluate, and eventually present the successes as fodder for his next project.   

Don loved celebrations, especially those celebrating him. His birthday was celebrated lavishly, along with many requests for a standing ovation.   

Don’s charm and playful nature often overshadowed his keen intellect. As a child, he was one of radio’s Quiz Kids, won a full scholarship to the University of Chicago at age 16, and accomplished his Ph.D. later in life at age 40 while working full time. He was an intellectual in the broadest sense. He understood complex abstract concepts. His playing of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata will be remembered by many. He had a depth of classical piano training and knew the music and stories of all the classical composers.  

Don was deeply devoted to his older sister and experienced a loving but highly competitive relationship with his identical twin brother. His legacy will be in the hearts of hundreds of students he mentored, the colleagues he hired, and the devotion of his only cherished granddaughter. He was a lover, not a fighter, had two sons, married four times, and spent his last nearly 30 years with his devoted life partner Julie.   

And now, friends and family, wherever you are, please rise and give a standing ovation to Don Bushnell (01.07.1927 – 06.19.2023). 

Memorial Service Details: A memorial for Dr. Don Bushnell will be held on Aug. 5, 2023, at 2 p.m. PT at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara (1535 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara, 93101). A reception will follow the service. You may also watch the service on Zoom by using this link: https://uuma.zoom.us/j/7531075374

The community members are invited to make donations in memory of Don Bushnell to The Bushnell Endowed Scholarship for Organizational and Social Change. Don created the scholarship with colleagues, former students, family, and friends to enable Fielding students to develop the knowledge to help organizations and communities thrive in today’s complex world. 

What personally inspired Don to support Fielding and the scholarship in his name is that the student research has practical applications and truly ignites positive social change. True to his spirit, he used his birthday celebrations to auction off $100 cupcakes and wrote personal notes to significant donors to raise funds for the scholarship. 

When donating online, select “Bushnell Scholarship” under the gift designation option when donating online. For additional gift options, visit here: giving.fielding.edu.