Donald T. Crysdale

Found eternal peace on February 1, 2019 at the age of 89. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Charlotte Crysdale and his 7 children: Pamela Miner (Bill), Peter Crysdale, David Crysdale (Beth), John Crysdale (Emma), Elizabeth Roskopf (Bill), Matthew Crysdale (Alice), Patricia Morin (Roger) and 14 grandchildren: Ryan Miner, Mallory Miner, Patrick Miner, Nicole Coy (Guthrey), Julia Crysdale, Thomas Crysdale, Zachary Roskopf, Emily Roskopf, Nicholas Roskopf, Maximilian Crysdale, Xavier Crysdale, Charlotte Crysdale, Charles Morin and Katie Morin. He is further survived by his brother Richard Crysdale (Karen). Born in Milwaukee on July 2, 1929, Don graduated from Rufus King High School, after which he attended the Layton School of Art and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. After serving his country in the US Army Signal Corps, he began his career as a commercial designer. He was a charter member of Illustrator and Designers of Milwaukee. He was a trailblazer in the Point of Purchase display industry and a top salesman at Dimensional Products. He founded his own company, The Merchandisers Inc. in 1967, which continues operations to this day with many Fortune 500 companies among its clients. Donald spent his entire life in devoted service to the Lord in many ways, as Chairman of the Board of Trustees and also designing the sanctuary cross at Plymouth Church UCC and later with Grace Presbyterian Church, as a Deacon and designer of the church directory. Donald was a life-long athlete and fitness enthusiast. He often rode his bicycle to work, and recreationally in his later years as much as 10 miles on week days and 20 miles on weekends, always along the lakefront of Milwaukee. A highly competitive sailor, he joined the Milwaukee Yacht Club in August 1, 1945. He built his own first sailboat and competed for more than 50 years as the Skipper of many International and Olympic-class crafts. Summer weekends were spent racing on Lake Michigan. Winter weekends were spent on the local ski slopes. He shared his great love of downhill skiing with everyone he met, most notably with all seven of his children and his 14 grandchildren. Every spring, he loaded everyone in the family station wagon for a two-week ski tour of the Rocky Mountains, where he teamed up with his favorite ski partners: his brother Richard and family. Donald skied until he was 85 years old and always brought to others his passion for outdoor activity. Donald will always be remembered for his Godly attitude, bright smile, zest for life, grandiose dreams yet humble manner, giftedness as an artist and brilliant designer, boundless determination and strong work ethic, and most dearly as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He has left this world a better place. The family will receive relatives and friends for a Memorial Visitation Saturday, March 23 from 10:00-11:00 AM at GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (2931 S. Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI) followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 AM.