Welcome to the memorial page for
Jeff Donaldson
March 25, 1965 ~ October 6, 2016 (age 51) 51 Years Old Light a Candle
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Message from Dave Preimesberger
November 22, 2016 3:29 PM
(Given live at the Memorial Service)
Good Morning. My name is Dave Preimesberger. Jeff and I were colleagues for 12 years at the Doctors Company. I actually met Jeff 6 years before at a meeting with my previous company and TDC. I recall at the time being impressed with Jeff’s knowledge and professionalism. When I joined Doctors 12 years ago as its CFO, I became Jeff’s boss.
It was easy to be his boss because of his respect for order and authority. Jeff was The Doctors Company’s Chief Actuary so I don’t know if anyone could really have been Jeff’s boss (except for Kathy). Right out of the gate Jeff and I got along. We had several shared interests, both being left handed, both being numbers’ guys, the love for sports and physical conditioning.
Being the Chief Actuary is big job and of critical importance to the success of an insurance company. Jeff fully embraced this role. His dedication, rigor of process, professionalism and work ethic was admired and respected throughout the company. Jeff held himself to the highest ethical standards of his profession when performing his duties as Chief Actuary.
As head of the Actuarial department, he ran a tight ship and challenged his staff to excel in their chosen profession. He was fiercely protective and supportive of his staff and was a mentor and teacher to them. He had mentored many budding actuaries over the years that have gone onto wonderful opportunities and leadership positions as actuaries across the country.
Jeff was with the Doctors company for over 20 years. Being a fellow numbers guy, I did the math, that was 144,123,257 seconds or 37.26% of his waking moments during those years. That is a lot of time to spend together with all of us at TDC and it is a lot of time to get to know someone.
We all know Jeff’s passion for anything sports related. He was a true fan particularly for the Oakland Raiders. I went back and checked, the Raiders haven’t had a winning season since 2002. 14 years of futility. When you talked to Jeff, he was the eternal optimist. There was always the next game or next year. Of course the Raiders are on a winning track this year. I think Jeff has had a hand in that! I imagine Jeff is laughing now saying I told you so!
That was Jeff. Positive. Eternal Optimist. Never Say Die. Never Give In. A Fighter. Dedicated. Loyal. A Man of conviction. The Raiders team mantra is the perfect one liner to describe Jeff: Commitment to Excellence!
Jeff had a great sense of humor that was both dry and self-deprecating. He regularly took the opportunity to poke fun at himself in private as well as in a group setting including Doctors Company Board meetings. Everyone enjoyed his boyish grin and that dry sense of humor.
Jeff and I spent many hours over the years talking about sports, family and life. Jeff always lit up with that big smile when he talked about his son Jack and his wife Kathy. Family was everything and the first thing for Jeff. It was refreshing to see that unconditional love and commitment to family that Jeff so proudly and openly demonstrated.
Jeff was always a very good speaker at Board and Committee meetings. Always well-prepared. I remember his last presentation in May 2014. I had worked with Jeff on the content as we always did. He presented the normal Actuarial stuff in a room filled with Board members and his senior staff colleagues.
The material may have been routine, but his presentation that day was anything but. Jeff, always impeccably dressed in a finely fitted suit, proceeded to deliver the very best presentation he had ever given in my years at TDC. He was extremely professional as always, lucid in his delivery, on point and pithy, humorous and self-deprecating at his best.
I remarked to Jeff afterward that it was his best presentation ever. He smiled that boyish smile and simply said thank you! It was only later that I realized how difficult it was for him and how hard he had worked to give that presentation.
So it is ok to be sad that Jeff isn’t with us anymore. But let’s all be glad and celebrate the time that Jeff was with us. We will always remember Jeff’s passion for sports, his dry humor, commitment to excellence, his high moral and ethical standards, his dedication to family. Jeff has set the bar high and is an inspiration to all of us to be the best that we can be in the time we have here.
It was an honor and a privilege to have known Jeff Donaldson. We will all miss him alot. Thank you.
Good Morning. My name is Dave Preimesberger. Jeff and I were colleagues for 12 years at the Doctors Company. I actually met Jeff 6 years before at a meeting with my previous company and TDC. I recall at the time being impressed with Jeff’s knowledge and professionalism. When I joined Doctors 12 years ago as its CFO, I became Jeff’s boss.
It was easy to be his boss because of his respect for order and authority. Jeff was The Doctors Company’s Chief Actuary so I don’t know if anyone could really have been Jeff’s boss (except for Kathy). Right out of the gate Jeff and I got along. We had several shared interests, both being left handed, both being numbers’ guys, the love for sports and physical conditioning.
Being the Chief Actuary is big job and of critical importance to the success of an insurance company. Jeff fully embraced this role. His dedication, rigor of process, professionalism and work ethic was admired and respected throughout the company. Jeff held himself to the highest ethical standards of his profession when performing his duties as Chief Actuary.
As head of the Actuarial department, he ran a tight ship and challenged his staff to excel in their chosen profession. He was fiercely protective and supportive of his staff and was a mentor and teacher to them. He had mentored many budding actuaries over the years that have gone onto wonderful opportunities and leadership positions as actuaries across the country.
Jeff was with the Doctors company for over 20 years. Being a fellow numbers guy, I did the math, that was 144,123,257 seconds or 37.26% of his waking moments during those years. That is a lot of time to spend together with all of us at TDC and it is a lot of time to get to know someone.
We all know Jeff’s passion for anything sports related. He was a true fan particularly for the Oakland Raiders. I went back and checked, the Raiders haven’t had a winning season since 2002. 14 years of futility. When you talked to Jeff, he was the eternal optimist. There was always the next game or next year. Of course the Raiders are on a winning track this year. I think Jeff has had a hand in that! I imagine Jeff is laughing now saying I told you so!
That was Jeff. Positive. Eternal Optimist. Never Say Die. Never Give In. A Fighter. Dedicated. Loyal. A Man of conviction. The Raiders team mantra is the perfect one liner to describe Jeff: Commitment to Excellence!
Jeff had a great sense of humor that was both dry and self-deprecating. He regularly took the opportunity to poke fun at himself in private as well as in a group setting including Doctors Company Board meetings. Everyone enjoyed his boyish grin and that dry sense of humor.
Jeff and I spent many hours over the years talking about sports, family and life. Jeff always lit up with that big smile when he talked about his son Jack and his wife Kathy. Family was everything and the first thing for Jeff. It was refreshing to see that unconditional love and commitment to family that Jeff so proudly and openly demonstrated.
Jeff was always a very good speaker at Board and Committee meetings. Always well-prepared. I remember his last presentation in May 2014. I had worked with Jeff on the content as we always did. He presented the normal Actuarial stuff in a room filled with Board members and his senior staff colleagues.
The material may have been routine, but his presentation that day was anything but. Jeff, always impeccably dressed in a finely fitted suit, proceeded to deliver the very best presentation he had ever given in my years at TDC. He was extremely professional as always, lucid in his delivery, on point and pithy, humorous and self-deprecating at his best.
I remarked to Jeff afterward that it was his best presentation ever. He smiled that boyish smile and simply said thank you! It was only later that I realized how difficult it was for him and how hard he had worked to give that presentation.
So it is ok to be sad that Jeff isn’t with us anymore. But let’s all be glad and celebrate the time that Jeff was with us. We will always remember Jeff’s passion for sports, his dry humor, commitment to excellence, his high moral and ethical standards, his dedication to family. Jeff has set the bar high and is an inspiration to all of us to be the best that we can be in the time we have here.
It was an honor and a privilege to have known Jeff Donaldson. We will all miss him alot. Thank you.
A candle was lit by Doug Franklin
on November 20, 2016 8:44 PM
A Spathiphyllum was sent on November 20, 2016
Remembering our dear friend Jeff. To everyone whose lives he touched... All our love. Andre, Renee, Ryan and Cameron Stewart
A candle was lit by Kevin, Becky, and Eric
on November 20, 2016 6:54 PM
A candle was lit by Mary Sevigny
on November 20, 2016 6:20 PM
Message from Joe and Diane Cerreta
November 20, 2016 2:56 PM
Our deepest condolences to the Donaldson family. Jeff was an incredible friend, coworker and boss. He will be sorely missed.
A candle was lit by Joe and Diane Cerreta
on November 20, 2016 2:54 PM
An A Garden Path was sent on November 19, 2016
"May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks." (J.R.R. Tolkien) From: Todd, Mary, Bridget, & Steven
Message from Gary and Debbie
November 18, 2016 6:44 PM
We are so sad for your family. God Bless
A candle was lit by Gary and Debbie Ray
on November 18, 2016 6:42 PM
A candle was lit by Barbara Dee Guberman
on November 18, 2016 11:46 AM
A candle was lit by Dave and Mel Preimesberger
on November 18, 2016 11:40 AM
Message from Paul Herriott
November 17, 2016 6:40 AM
Jeff and his passion and enthusiasm for sports and for life in general will be greatly missed. I first met Jeff while working at The Doctors' Company. Both being die-hard Oakland Raiders (and A's) fans we quickly hit it off. The passion for sports continued outside the office playing on company softball and basketball teams as well as countless fantasy football and baseball leagues! While on a different team now Jeff and his enthusiasm and spirit will always be with us. While his time was cut far too short he leaves a legacy that will be carried on by Kathy and Jack. God bless you Jeff, you will be missed.
Message from Marty Jacks
November 16, 2016 10:01 AM
My first memory of Jeff was in the 1976 Fly League Championships. He was on the Mets and I was on the Twins. He became one of the better pitchers of his era when he reached high school and summer ball. He reminded me of former A's pitcher Kenny Holtzman. I didn't know him well but I always liked him. He went too soon. RIP
Message from Hameed
November 15, 2016 5:55 PM
Jeff and I lived in same neighborhood, we were of same age and height. Our kids were also of same age and grade in school. Both kids under went similar personal challenges around same time. It is encouraging to know that both kids are evolving to be fine young people, day by day. I'm confidant that; as tree lives through it's fruit. Jeff is living through his son Jack.
Peace/Salam
Hameed
Peace/Salam
Hameed
Message from Linda Barnhart Smith
November 15, 2016 5:11 PM
Kathy and Jack,
My heart aches for you and your family. Jeff was a special person, and loved his family dearly. I remember when Jack was a baby and we were upstairs playing when Jeff came home from work. Jack would get so excited for Jeff to run up the stairs and pick him up. Lots of great memories.
Many hugs and lots of love sent to you and Jack.
Linda and Joel Smith
My heart aches for you and your family. Jeff was a special person, and loved his family dearly. I remember when Jack was a baby and we were upstairs playing when Jeff came home from work. Jack would get so excited for Jeff to run up the stairs and pick him up. Lots of great memories.
Many hugs and lots of love sent to you and Jack.
Linda and Joel Smith
A candle was lit by Linda Barnhart Smith
on November 15, 2016 4:33 PM
A candle was lit by Lorena Santos
on November 15, 2016 10:51 AM
A candle was lit by Rebecca Knackstedt
on November 14, 2016 8:38 AM
Message from Glenn Schreuder
November 12, 2016 5:11 PM
To the family and friends of Jeff Donaldson:
I had the privilege to work with Jeff at TDC from 1996 - 2000. I really enjoyed getting to know Jeff and we talked a lot at lunch about a range of topics and at one point we figured out that he had my dad as his science teacher at Napa High (Joe Schreuder NHS 1958 - 1988).
Please accept my sincere condolences in regard to losing Jeff, I don't need to tell you how special he really was, you already know that. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Glenn Schreuder
Soda Canyon Road
VHS Class of 1983
Treasurer, Napa United Soccer
I had the privilege to work with Jeff at TDC from 1996 - 2000. I really enjoyed getting to know Jeff and we talked a lot at lunch about a range of topics and at one point we figured out that he had my dad as his science teacher at Napa High (Joe Schreuder NHS 1958 - 1988).
Please accept my sincere condolences in regard to losing Jeff, I don't need to tell you how special he really was, you already know that. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Glenn Schreuder
Soda Canyon Road
VHS Class of 1983
Treasurer, Napa United Soccer
A candle was lit by Jerry and Judy Duncan.
on November 11, 2016 2:31 PM
A candle was lit by Christina Navone
on November 10, 2016 1:59 PM
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