In Memory of Don W. Vaughan-Foerster (October 28, 1929 – June 7, 2021)(1942-2022)

Rev. Don W. Vaughn-Foerster died on June 7, 2021, at the age of 91.

Don was born on October 28, 1929, in Fort Worth, TX to Esta Williams and James A. Vaughn. In 1950, he graduated from McMurry College, Abilene, TX, with his Bachelor of Science majoring in Speech/Communications. In 1953, he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps after a three-year enlistment. During the next two years, Don worked as a radio/TV announcer in two West Texas stations and then as a pharmaceutical sales supervisor from 1956 to 1963.

Don had been a member of a Unitarian Church since 1955. Before that, he was a dissatisfied Methodist. In college, he had seriously considered becoming a Methodist minister but came to realize that his views were far too liberal to be expressed from a Methodist pulpit. After becoming a Unitarian, he resumed his church activity with more satisfaction and peace of mind. He contributed to the formation of the Irving Fellowship, TX from the first day of its existence and served in various offices and also as an Adult Program Chairman. He led the Sunday morning service frequently and even gave his sermons on occasion. After becoming intimately acquainted with the Unitarian church as a layman, he wanted to devote more time and attention to this work becoming a minister. In 1966, he received his Master of Divinity from the Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX.

Rev. Vaughn-Foerster was ordained on March 20, 1966, by the First Parish Unitarian of Medfield, MA where he carried out his first ministry until 1968. After that, he was a settled minister at the First UU Church of Wichita, KS (1968-1974); the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore, MD (1974-1977); and All Souls UU Church, Kansas City, MO (1977-1984). Following All Souls, he served as an interim at the UU Church of Riverside, CA (1984-1985); and the UU Fellowship of Raleigh, NC (1985-1986). At the Raleigh congregation, he assisted the Board to prioritize needs and constantly reinforced the strength of the congregation.

In 1988, Rev. Vaughn-Foerster accepted a call from the Northwoods UU Church, Spring, TX, and served until 2001. During the 2001 and 2002 church years, he ministered at the UU Fellowship of Vero Beach, FL. He was a tower of strength, kindness, and wisdom for the congregation as everyone struggled with the trauma of the September 11 attack. He made a special effort to establish the congregation’s identity and its place in the lives of its members and the community at large. New leaders were elected, and former leaders moved on to productive new responsibilities. At the Billings UU Fellowship, MT (2002-2004), Rev. Vaughn-Foerster provided a wonderful ministerial presence. He showed the Fellowship the importance of shared ministry, spent a good deal of time on identity and challenges facing the Fellowship, healing internal conflicts and grief work, leadership training and replacement, and maintenance of the congregation’s program.

Subsequently, Rev. Vaughn-Foerster provided his services as an interim minister to the following congregations: the UU Congregation of Grand Traverse; Traverse City, MI (2004-2006); the UU Church of Sarasota, FL (2006-2007); Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church, Alexandria, VA (2007-2008); the UU Fellowship of the Peninsula, Newport News, VA (2008-2009); the First UU Church of Victoria, BC (2009-2010); Kitsap UU Fellowship; Bremerton, WA; (2010-2012) and Carbondale Unitarian Fellowship; IL (2012-2014). In all these congregations, Rev. Vaughn-Foerster strengthened the sense of community, turned around declining membership, increased the level of financial commitment, and generated a deeper sense of commitment to liberal religion. He strengthened and advanced the Religious Education program for both children and adults and promoted and strengthened denominational ties. He emphasized pastoral concerns as a perennial paramount concern. His sense of humor, wit, and intellect combined with a genuine love of people gave congregations a great boost. He retired on July 1, 2014.

Rev. Vaughn-Foerster served the denomination as a Charter member and a lay leader of the Irving Unitarian Fellowship, TX (1957-1965). He was a Board member and Director of Community Relations for the Mass Bay UU District (1966-1968). He served as a visiting chaplain for the UUA to Disciplinary Barracks of Fort Leavenworth, KS (1969-1971). He also served on the Board of the Southwest UU District (1971-1972). He was an active member of the Southwest UUMA Chapter, a Good Offices Person for the Prairie Star District, and a workshop and worship leader for the SMUU Summer Institute (1988).

Furthermore, Don was significantly involved in the community. He founded two successful service organizations: the Planned Parenthood of S. Central Kansas, Wichita, KS (1971-1973) and the Northwoods AIDS Coalition of Montgomery County, TX. He served as a member of the Council on Continuing Education, St. Paul’s Theological School, Kansas City, MO (1980-1983). In Texas, he served as a board member of the Interfaith of The Woodlands and the Women’s Center of Montgomery County.

Don played the trombone for personal pleasure and sang (bass-baritone) in the church. His listening interests were mostly for classical and jazz music. He enjoyed cooking, especially bread-baking and loved camping, motorcycling, jogging, and strength-building exercises. He loved creative writing, especially poetry. He had his Meditations published in the UU meditation manuals, 1971 and 1972, and a hymn in Hymns for Living, The Lindsey Press, London, England, 1985.

Don is survived by his wife Margaret Vaughn-Foerster, and his five children: Stephen, Marghi, David, Nancy, and Neall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity of one’s own choosing.

Notes of condolences can be sent to Margaret Vaughn-Foerster at 120 Frederick Dr, Sequim, WA 98382.