Wallace Don Maughan, born June 26, 1922, in Salt Lake City, Utah to William Baxter and Isabell Child Maughan died September 5, 1994 in Carmichael, Calif., of congestive heart failure.
Don lived his life with integrity, courage and charity. Don married his beloved wife, Beverly, January 14, 1944, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Theirs is a marriage that is based on love and respect. For over 50 years they have been sweethearts and best friends. Don and Beverly are the parents of six children and their spouses: Cherilyn Maughan and Dale M. Caldwell, Don C. and Connie F. Maughan, Kathleen Johnson, William E. and Diane Maughan, James B. and Natasha Maughan, Robert A. and Lauri Maughan and 24 grandhildren and two great-grandchildren.Don graduated from the University of Utah in 1943 with a degree in civil engineering. In 1946 he entered employment with the Bureau of Reclamation and thus began his long an distinguished career in water resource management. Don had a great desire to be of service to his fellowmen and repeatedly turned down more lucrative opportunities to work in the private sector. He felt that he, personally, could make a difference by working in the government arena. In addition to the Bureau of Reclamation, he worked (at various times) for the Colorado River Board, the federal government, and the states of California and Arizona. During his professional career Don was appointed Chairman of the
California Water Resources Control Board by four separate governors, was instrumental in implementing major ground water legislation in Arizona, testified before the Supreme Court of the United States in the landmark case concerning the waters of the Colorado River, and was appointed by then President Richard M. Nixon as executive director of the Water Resources Council for the United States. Over the last two decades of his professional career Don chaired numerous hearings dealing with complex and often controversial water quality issues. Don was always careful to weigh environmental and business concerns and his success is borne out by the respect he earned across the political spectrum.
In addition to his professional service, Don served others through his church service. He served faithfully in a multitude of church callings; including bishop (La Siera Ward, Sacramento East Stake), high councilman, bishopric counselor, Elders' Quorum president and home teacher. Don has a strong and abiding faith in the Savior and loved to share his testimony with others. His example will never be forgotten by those who knew him.
Don contracted polio in 1954 and lost the use of his legs and was forced to live the rest of his life with a wheelchair, but he refused to be "confined". For example, for virtually of his professional life he drove his own car to and from work. Today he can run.
Interment and graveside service: Kaysville City Cemetery, Kaysville, Utah, Septmeber 10, 1994, at 2 p.m.
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