Gentle Readers, There are some bittersweet memories of that awful day in Washington when American Airlines Flight 77 was highjacked by terrorists and flown into the Pentagon here in Arlington. One of the five ONI people who died that morning was CDR Dan Shanower. His loss, and that of the other 124 who perished, was the cause of shock and deep sadness, as well as the beginning of a struggle that shows no evidence of ending.

There was an upside to the tragedy, though. When Dan’s hometown of Naperville, IL, dedicated the memorial to those who were killed, a large contingent of NavalIntelligence people were there as a sort of ceremonial honor guard, including the longest-serving Director of Naval Intelligence, RADM Rick Porterfield, who can be seen in this image of the ceremony to the middle-left of the steel beam from the World Trade Center:

Dan’s parents, Don and Pat, were extremely gracious as their hosted the delegation from Washington, and began a special relationship with Naval Intelligence that continues today. The Quarterly got a note from Pat this morning. She is looking for contact information regarding CAPT Dave Maresh, USN-Ret., and if anyone has it, we would be much obliged if you would pass it along. In passing, she noted that her husband had passed away last year.

“Doc” Shanower was a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge in the ETO, and a combat-wounded infantryman, in addition to being a pillar of the Naperville community for more than 60 years. Accordingly, we are pleased to provide the obituary printed in the Naperville paper from September of last year. Like his son Dan, Donald Shanower made an impact on every life that he touched.

– Vic

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September 14, 2015. Mr. Donald T. Shanower, “Doc, ” 93, at Naperville, IL.

Don and his beloved wife Pat Shanower share a special relationship with the Naval Intelligence family as the parents of CDR Dan Shanower, one of our own who perished in the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon.

It is with sadness that we mark the year that has passed since he left us. Don was North Central College’s beloved theater professor emeritus and a 60 year Naperville resident. Don was born on December 15, 1921 in Canton, Ohio. He and his two brothers ushered at Loews Theater during his years at Lehman High School. He then worked at a sheet metal factory for a year to earn money for college. Theater and radio were his consuming interests while earning his B.A. at Kent State University, OH.

He spent three and a half years in the U.S. Army Infantry with the 75th Division in the European Theater, was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, was awarded a Purple Heart and other service medals. He then returned to Kent State to complete his undergraduate degree and his M.A. He met his future wife, the former Patricia Gibbs from Medina, Ohio, while he was the student director on the Showboat Majestic which offered theater performances along the Ohio River. Following a four year stint at The College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio, Don accepted a position in the Speech and Theater Department at North Central College in 1955. While an assistant professor there, he earned his PhD. From the University of Michigan in 1959 and was known to students as “Doc” for the remainder of his 31 years at NCC.

After treading the boards in college, in the leading roles in “Othello and Macbeth”, he found his true calling as a director of both classical and contemporary plays and musicals. He introduced students to plays from Aristophanes to Miller and beyond. Away from the stage, he taught Public Speaking, Acting, and History of the Theater.

At the beckoning of NCC students and with college and community support, “Doc” founded the Summer Place, Naperville’s community theater, which continues today. “Doc” was awarded the Clarence F. Dissinger Memorial Award for distinguished teaching and extraordinary service to North Central in 1981. Dr. Dennis Henneman, NCC’ 62 and Professor Emeritus of Theater and Dance at Youngstown State University, wrote recently to say: “As most teachers know, the most beautiful sight in the world is the sight of a person walking down the road with confidence after having been shown the way. Dr. Shanower has been the beacon of inspiration that has shown me the way.”

Away from the classroom and the stage, Don and Pat traveled widely. In his first NCC sabbatical in 1964 Don and Pat and their children lived for six months in London; Don returned frequently to England and Europe leading NCC students.

In 1984, he was NCC’s first exchange professor to Japan’s Hirosaki Gakuin College.

Don’s thirst for adventure was not limited to his career as he and Pat were worldwide travelers. Don served one year as president of Rotary Club, and following his 1986 retirement from NCC he volunteered at Bethlehem Center (now Northern Illinois Food Bank) as well as the Naper Settlement where he was honored for his work.

Don and Pat wintered in Winter Park, Florida, where Don sang with the University Club Men’s Chorus. He and Pat are long time members of Community United Methodist Church.

He was predeceased by his parents (Merl and Ella Shanower) and siblings (Molly Jane, Robert, and Paul) and his son, Commander Dan Shanower, USN, who was one of five Office of Naval Intelligence people killed in the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon and the Navy Command Center, which included the offices of the CNO Intelligence Plot. Dan was much loved by his shipmates, and penned a now-famous article May 1997 issue of the U.S. Naval Institute’s monthly journal Proceedings titled “Freedom is Not Free.” The article discussed the loss of four aircrew in the crash of an EA6-B Prowler aircraft on the USS Midway.
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Don (and Dan) are survived by his wife of 64 years, Pat, and their children, Vicki (Ed) Wike, Paula (Bob) Coleman, Tom (Ana) Shanower, and Jon Shanower, and eight grandchildren (Rachel. John and Molly Wike, Andrew Coleman, Elaine O’Kelley, Matthew, Nicholas, and Stephanie Shanower) and one great-grandchild (Haven O’Kelley).

Don will be missed by all who he touched in his long and productive life, just as his son Dan did to all with whom he served.

Copyright 2016 Vic Socotra
http://www.vicsocotra.com