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A UA alum, Donald N. Soldwedel was a longtime contributor and supporter of the University and the business, medical and education communities in southern Arizona.

By La Monica Everett-Haynes, University Communications
February 22, 2008

Donald Norman Soldwedel, a University of Arizona alumnus and longtime supporter, was so dedicated to his principles that he devoted decades of his life to civic engagement and charity, both on and off campus.

Soldwedel, who purused volunteerism from Tucson to Yuma well into retirement, died in Tucson on Feb. 20 at age 83.

In a joint statement about their father, Ann Buxie and Joe Soldwedel wrote: “What can one say about Dad? A great father and leader. A superb businessman and diplomat. Boundless energy. Always the optimist. Tremendous drive, resilience and focus.”

Soldwedel, they also noted, gave much of his time to civic, charitable and professional groups.

Illinois native Soldwedel earned his UA marketing degree in 1946 before taking a position as the UA’s assistant director for the student union.

He left the University in 1953 to take a position with the Yuma Daily Sun, where he served as the general manager, co-owner and co-publisher until 1984.

After arriving in Yuma, he eventually became president of Western Newspapers Inc. He also served as chairman of the multimedia company, which was the parent company for several newspapers, radio stations and various other companies and products.

Though journalism was Soldwedel professional realm, he did service the field, just as he made contributions to business, medicine and education.

“Don was a person who actually lived by the principles that he talked about, and those involved providing support whenever and however possible to education and community organizations,” said Jacqueline Sharkey, head of the UA journalism department.

“One of his most important beliefs was that it was crucial for people to give back to their communities and to the organizations that had nurtured them,” she said.

Soldwedel is credited with helping improve higher education options in southwestern Arizona. There, he helped create the Northern Arizona University’s partnership with Yuma’s Arizona Western College.

He also chaired a $1.8 million fundraising drive to recruit Parkinson’s disease researchers to the UA’s College of Medicine.

In 1998, the Arizona Board of Regents awarded Soldwedel with an award for “outstanding service to higher education.”

In Tucson, he served on numerous boards and committees, including those for University Medical Center and University Physicians Heathcare as well as for the UA Foundation, the Alumni Association, the Eller College of Management, the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences and the journalism department.

Though consumed in work, Soldwedel would also mentor and consult those in business and in education on issues such as management and fundraising, said Sharkey.

“He was a very generous person with his time,” she said.

Soldwedel, intending that the journalism department should have an external advisory board much like others across the nation, founded an advisory council for the department in 1996, Sharkey said. He served on the council until recently.

“He was devoted to journalism, and not just as a business, but a field that provided invaluable information to the community about its government and about its economic and social needs,” she said. “His life is really an inspiration because it was based on the ideals that he held.”

Soldwedel is survived by his wife, Lou Edith McNaughton; daughter Ann Buxie; son Joe Soldwedel; and grandchildren Jill Buxie, Kelly Soldwedel and Brett Soldwedel.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Hospice of Yuma and the UA Foundation. For more information, contact the hospice at 928-343-2222 and the Foundation at 520-621-9077.