Donald B. Pryce
November 06, 1938 — April 28, 2024
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Service Details
Donald Blair Pryce, 85, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines, Iowa, surrounded by his family.
Donald was born November 6, 1938, in Johnstown, PA to Richard and Magdalene Pryce.
One of 4 children, he grew up in Ebensburg, a small town in Pennsylvania, and lived next door to his grandparents (Alan and Annie). He worked summers on a paint crew for his father’s business while he attended St. Francis University in Loretto, PA, where he received his bachelor’s degree. He went to on receive his master’s degree from Penn State and his doctorate from Stanford.
He started his teaching career at The Ohio State. In 1967, Donald moved with his young family to Vermillion, SD and went on to become a tenured professor in the history department at the University of South Dakota. He lived in Vermillion for 56 years until moving to Ankeny, IA in December of 2023 to be closer to family.
Throughout the years, he cultivated many interests. He was an avid runner, bike rider, photographer, gardener, world traveler, and chef. He was a good and kind man who loved to learn and loved to teach. He enjoyed imparting his love of history and general knowledge, and the listener always left the conversation enriched.
Donald was preceded in death by his wife Regina. He is survived by his son Christopher (Kirsten) Pryce of Minneapolis, MN; daughter, Lisa (Dan) Berke of Des Moines, IA; 6 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
A memorial visitation will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines.
In lieu of flowers, contributions would be appreciated to the American Cancer Society.
Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Frank Adams
07/17/2024
Don, I just learned of your passing while perusing the Vermillion Plain Talk, and reading about the passing of Paul Michels, former proprieter of Carey's, where I worked for a few years. I took Russian history from you, and later we became comrades through bicycling.
We had many great conversations while spinning away the miles on our bikes in the environs around Vermillion.
Both you and Reggie came to my second, and final, going away party in December, 1980. Rick Brown, Richard Whitten, Werner Kitzler (and patient wife), and Leroy Meiers were there, too. I will miss you.
Stephanie Gant
05/16/2024
Sending a message of condolance to Lisa (Pryce) Berke and Chris Pryce, at the loss of their dad, Don: Happy memories of visiting your home many years ago when we all had affiliations with the history department at USD and the schools there. We were all very young, but I remember such a good welcome in your home from your parents. Loved our Vemillion years. Let us know if travel brings you toward New England. We live 45 minutes west of Boston and have ties to Lawrence, too. We lost our dad in 2022, understand the grief journey. Mom studied history at USD.
Steph Gant
Harvard, MA
Judith Sebesta
05/04/2024
I remember Don with his bike helmet on setting off on one of his journeys out into the country, Indefatigable! He was very much beloved by his students, who appreciated his close reading of their papers and advice on their writing. As Evelyn says, a great gardener as well!
Evelyn Schlenker
05/03/2024
When it was warm, I frequently would see Don in his garden. He gave me tips on gardening and when raspberries were ripe, let me sample a few. Aside from gardening tips we talked about his latest exchange student and the state of the world. Every time I walk by his house, I think of this kind, good, wise man.
Betty Smith
05/02/2024
We will miss Don’s presence in Vermillion, SD, his home for many decades. I remember his amazing taco nights, how much he loved to dance on Friday nights at Carey’s, and his unfailing kindness. Thank you, Don, for being an outstanding professor, a sweet friend, and a good human.