Donald Herman Gillott Obituary (1931 - 2023)

Donald Herman Gillott, Ph.D. a resident of Cameron Park, CA, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of December 23, 2023, at Mercy Folsom Hospital, comforted by his loving family. He was born in Connellsville, PA on August 25, 1931, to Herman and Elizabeth (Landy) Gillott. Donald leaves behind his devoted wife of 66 years, Betty, daughter, Donna Monsoor (Matthew), son, Douglas Gillott (Michael), grandchildren Elizabeth Monsoor DePalma (David), Ian Monsoor, Zachary Gillott, Amanda and Dylan Gillott, and great-grandsons, Matthew and Thomas DePalma. He is also survived by his sister, Grace Gillott, and his brother, Howard Gillott. He was preceded in death by his son, Dennis Gillott, his son-in-law, Matthew, his parents, and his sister, Lenora Gillott. After graduating from Connellsville High School in 1949, where in 2013 he was honored as a member of the District Hall of Fame, he earned his bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, where he was also honored as a Distinguished Alumnus in 2014. After joining the faculty of his beloved Pitt and teaching for five years, Donald moved his family to California in 1968 to serve as the Department Chair of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at what was then Sacramento State College. In 1976 he became Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science at what had become California State University, Sacramento. Donald had a passion for all aspects of higher education and was especially focused on increasing the enrollments of women and ethnic minorities in science and engineering and was one of the architects of the State of California MESA program (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement). For these efforts, he received the Centennial Medal for Extraordinary Achievement by the International Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, among other awards. Donald was a registered Professional Engineer, was a member of numerous technical and professional organizations, was named as co-inventor on medical device patents, and served on local and international boards. He retired from CSUS in 1993 to serve for three years as Interim President of Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento. Donald enjoyed his retirement years focusing on his family, both immediate and those in Pennsylvania. As a member of the Cameron Park Country Club he shared his love for golf with his grandchildren. He and his grandsons spent many happy hours on their guitars playing and singing country/western songs. He was blessed to have been able to spend precious time with his twin great-grandsons. We will all forever keep his memory alive. He also used his retirement as a time to design and build projects in his garage. He was an active parishioner of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and attended daily Mass. The family would like to thank Dee Oalivutu, Kim Pierce, Marian Lowe, Dr. Helen Cheng and her staff who all provided loving care to Don. We are also thankful to church deacon, Dan Haverty and his wife, Terri, for their kindness and Sunday visits. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, January 12, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 3111 Tierra de Dios, El Dorado Hills, with a luncheon reception to follow at the church. Burial will be private. Remembrances may be made to the charity of your choice.