Don Kenneth Reynolds
Dec. 19, 1944 - March 19, 2024
Don Kenneth Reynolds was born December 19, 1944, in West Allis, WI. He was the son of Donald and Daphne (nee Solsrud) Reynolds.
Don is survived by Sandra (nee Schabell). They were married at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Elcho, WI on January 4, 1969, and were married for 55 years. Don and Sandy had two children, a daughter, Kristen Reynolds Cappiello, and a son Todd Reynolds. Kristen is married to Anthony (Tony) Cappiello III and they gave given them two wonderful grandchildren, Anthony IV (Tony) and Elizabeth. Todd is married to Jessica (nee Hutchins) Reynolds. Don is also survived by his two brothers Gary Sr. and Gene as well in-laws, nephews, cousins and many friends.
Don spent the majority of his life in the Milwaukee area. He graduated from West Allis Central High School in 1964.
Don served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. In March 1967 he spent six weeks training in Fort Campbell before shipping off to Fort Sill where he was trained as an Artillery Survey Specialist. He was deployed to Vietnam in August 1967 where he saw heavy action until his release in October, 1968. For his service, he received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal.
After returning from active duty, he attended MSOE and graduated from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee with a degree in Business Administration.
Don began his business career in sales and marketing at Durant Digital Instruments in Watertown, WI. He continued working in sales and marketing as it was bought out by Cutler Hammer and subsequently by Eaton Corporation. During his tenure with them he spent several years in Boston, Massachusetts as the Northeast area Sales Manager. He later returned to Milwaukee to be Western Area Sales Manager and later to assume management positions at Cutler Hammer and later with Eaton Corporation.
During his tenure at this company, he became and industry expert in both mechanical and electronic count controls. Don belonged to the Milwaukee chapter of Sales and Marketing Executives of WI and was very active with that organization.
In 1989 he moved to Radford, VA to become Director of Sales and Marketing at Industrial Equipment in Radford, VA. In the 90’s, he worked for Spectrum Controls in Erie, PA who manufactured electronic noise filtering systems. Spectrum Controls provided electronic noise filtering systems for U S Military ships and submarines as well as aircraft and various manufacturing electronic applications. His knowledge of electronic noise applications led to being involved in many interesting projects especially with the famous rock group, Alabama, who couldn’t find a solution to their noise feedback problem from their amplifiers. They were appreciative that Don was able to provide them with the solution.Ìý
In 1995 Don returned to Wisconsin with his family and worked for Jordan Controls who manufactured actuators and values. Don’s specialty had grown to include opening new and emerging markets across the globe and acquisition of companies to grow market share. He spent a great deal of his time traveling the world and developing areas to assist companies in expanding their infrastructure. He worked in many manufacturing facilities throughout Europe, South America and the Pacific Rim. Don was recognized in industry as a wealth of knowledge regarding count control, actuators, value and pipe applications as well and electronic noise filtration.
After retiring Don became involved in two organizations that became his passion. SCORE SE Wisconsin and the New Berlin Veteran’s Memorial Society.
SCORE is a volunteer organization associated with the Small Business Administration. The mentors are highly successful and seasoned business professionals with experience and knowledge to assist small businesses to start up and grow. Don served as both a mentor and as Chapter Chairman.
Don was proud of his military service and his work with veterans. He proudly served as a Board Member of the New Berlin Veterans Society and the VFW.
Visitation will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by a service at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1615 N. Wauwatosa Ave., Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.
Krause Funeral Home is serving the family. Call 414-464-4640 or visit online at .