Donley Dale Kubasch, 89, of Moscow, died peacefully at home Thursday, July 17, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was born at home on May 2, 1936, in Hollywood Township, Minn., on his family\u2019s dairy farm. As a member of a small German Lutheran community, Don spoke only German until he was about four years old. Much of his early life revolved around St. Peter Lutheran Church, where he and his future bride attended both church and parochial school. As a boy, the practice of dairy farming held no allure for him, but when the country veterinarian came to call, young Don watched with fascination as he pulled calves and doctored the family\u2019s team of work horses. He imagined that one day he might become a veterinarian, but as a child who grew up during World War II, serving his country was also important to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don graduated from Mound High School in 1954 and was admitted to the Annapolis Naval Academy where he graduated in 1959, beginning his 20-year Naval career as a supply corps officer. A deeply humble man, he was reluctant to take credit for his successes. His motto during his years of service was, \u201cAlways make your boss look good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don had known Janice her whole life, but five years her senior, when he thought of her as a child he recalled only \u201cpig tails, freckles and knees.\u201d On his third tour of duty, in 1962, he was stationed in Minnesota and Janice was a senior in college. This time, he noticed her other defining features, like her bright smile and warm brown eyes. He caught her eye after church, and she knew he would call her for a date. Seven months later, he slipped a ring on her finger at a Lenten service at her uncle\u2019s church. They were married at their home church, St. Peter Lutheran Church, of rural Watertown, Minn., on Aug. 25, 1963. The U.S. Navy sent them from coast to coast numerous times, and abroad to Scotland. Don\u2019s favorite duty station was on Kodiak Island, Alaska, where he hunted and fished at every opportunity. Before his only child, Amy, was born in 1968, a friend gave him a congratulatory football, envisioning that he would play catch with his son. The \u201cson\u201d turned out to be a daughter who couldn\u2019t throw, but Don adored his little girl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1979, Don retired as lieutenant commander from the Navy after serving for 20 years and moved the family to Moscow, where he could finally pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian. When people commented, \u201cYou\u2019ll be 49 when you graduate,\u201d he would reply, \u201cIn six years, I\u2019ll be 49, whether I go to vet school or not!\u201d After two years of refreshing his science coursework, he was admitted to Washington State University\u2019s College of Veterinary Medicine, where he graduated in 1985. He practiced at the Animal Clinic in Moscow for nine years, until he physically could no longer work on large animals. After a brief second retirement, and much encouragement from former clients, he and Janice decided to open Garfield Street Pet Clinic for small animals. The clinic grew beyond their expectations, leading them to hire veterinarians and mentor many pre-veterinary students. Don found great satisfaction in identifying talented undergraduates and helping to shape them into compassionate, skilled veterinarians. He retired a third time in 2002. Many clients have commented on his surgical skills, his diagnostic abilities and his comforting bedside manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Throughout his life he had a quiet demeanor, and a dry sense of humor. Family and friends were alert to the characteristic twinkle in his eye that would precede a clever remark. He was intensely protective of Janice and Amy, and cherished his grandsons. Don had a soft spot for babies and toddlers. His skills in calming colicky babies earned him the nickname \u201cThe Baby Whisperer\u201d in our family. As the grandsons grew, he took them on countless adventures camping, hiking and fishing. They enjoyed picking raspberries in his big garden. His other soft spot was for pets. He had a habit of adopting homeless dogs and cats brought into the clinic. In later years, he couldn\u2019t resist feeding his dog scraps from the table, to Janice\u2019s dismay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don remained physically active until about five years ago, when Parkinson\u2019s disease began to hinder his mobility. Because he loved to hunt and fish, and work on projects in the yard or in his shop, the family worried that he might struggle to adjust to a loss of independence. However, he bore his illness with grace and humor. Over time he became even more expressive of his love toward Janice and the family, and of his appreciation for all those who cared for him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don is survived by his wife of 62 years, Janice Kubasch; his daughter, Amy (John) Gregg; grandsons, Joshua and Noah Gregg; and seven nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents, Walter and Alice Kubasch; sister, Glorianne Grunklee; and brother, John Kubasch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, July 28, at Concordia Lutheran Church, 1015 NE Orchard Drive, Pullman, with a luncheon to follow at the church. The graveside service will be held the same day at 2:30 p.m., at the Moscow Cemetery. All are welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Memorials may be made to the Augustana Lutheran Church Building Fund or to the Humane Society of the Palouse. Both were important to Don.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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