Donley D. Kubasch

Donley Dale Kubasch of Moscow, Idaho died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on July 17, 2025 at the age of 89 years. He was born at home on May 2, 1936 in Hollywood Township, Minnesota on his family’s dairy farm. As a member of a small German Lutheran community,  Don spoke only German until he was about four years  old. Much of his early life revolved around St. Peter Lutheran Church, where he and his future bride attended both church and parochial school. As a boy, the practice of dairy farming held no allure for him, but when the country veterinarian came to call, young Don watched with fascination as he pulled calves and doctored the family’s team of work horses. He imagined that one day he might become a veterinarian, but as a child who grew up during World War II, serving his country was also important to him.

Don graduated from Mound High School in 1954 and was admitted to the Annapolis Naval Academy where he graduated in 1959, beginning his 20 year Naval career as a Supply Corps Officer. A deeply humble man, he was reluctant to take credit for his successes. His motto during his years of service was, “Always make your boss look good.”

Don had known Janice her whole life, but five years her senior, when he thought of her as a child he recalled only “pig tails, freckles, and knees.” On his third tour of duty, in 1962, he was stationed in Minnesota and Janice was a senior in college. This time, he noticed her other defining features, like her bright smile and warm brown eyes. He caught her eye after church, and she knew he would call her for a date. Seven months later, he slipped a ring on her finger at a Lenten service at her uncle’s church. They were married at their home church, St. Peter Lutheran Church, of rural Watertown, Minnesota on August 25, 1963. The Navy sent them from coast to coast numerous times, and abroad to Scotland. Don’s favorite duty station was on Kodiak Island, Alaska, where he hunted and fished at every opportunity. Before his only child, Amy, was born in 1968, a friend gave him a congratulatory football, envisioning that he would play catch with his son. The “son” turned out to be a daughter who couldn’t throw, but Don adored his little girl.

In 1979, Don retired as Lieutenant Commander from the Navy after serving for 20 years and moved the family to Moscow, Idaho, where he could finally pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian. When people commented, “You’ll be 49 when you graduate,” he would reply, “In six years, I’ll be 49, whether I go to vet school or not!” After two years of refreshing his science coursework, he was admitted to Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where he graduated in 1985. He practiced at the Animal Clinic in Moscow for nine years, until he physically could no longer work on large animals. After a brief second retirement, and much  encouragement from former clients, he and Janice decided to open Garfield Street Pet Clinic for small animals. The clinic grew beyond their expectations, leading them to hire veterinarians and mentor many pre-veterinary students. Don found great satisfaction in identifying talented undergraduates and helping to shape them into compassionate, skilled veterinarians. He retired a third time in 2002. Many clients have commented on his surgical skills, his diagnostic abilities, and his comforting bedside manner.

Throughout his life he had a quiet demeanor, and a dry sense of humor. Family and friends were alert to the characteristic twinkle in his eye that would precede a clever remark. He was intensely protective of Janice and Amy, and cherished his grandsons. Don had a soft spot for babies and toddlers. His skills in calming colicky babies earned him the nickname “The Baby Whisperer” in our family. As the grandsons grew, he took them on countless adventures camping, hiking, and fishing. They enjoyed picking raspberries in his big garden. His other soft spot was for pets. He had a habit of adopting homeless dogs and cats brought into the clinic. In later years, he couldn’t resist feeding his dog scraps from the table, to Janice’s dismay.

Don remained physically active until about five years ago, when Parkinson’s Disease began to hinder his mobility. Because he loved to hunt and fish, and work on projects in the yard or in his shop, the family worried that he might struggle to adjust to a loss of independence. However, he bore his illness with grace and humor. Over time he became even more expressive of his love toward Janice and the family, and of his appreciation for all those who cared for him.

Don is survived by his wife of 62 years, Janice Kubasch; his daughter,  Amy (John) Gregg; grandsons, Joshua and Noah Gregg; and seven nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents, Walter and Alice Kubasch; sister, Glorianne Grunklee; and brother, John Kubasch.

Service will be held on Monday, July 28, at 11:00 am at Concordia Lutheran Church, 1015 NE Orchard Dr, Pullman, WA, with luncheon to follow at the church. Graveside service  will be held on the same day at 2:30 pm at the Moscow Cemetery, 1650 Troy Rd, Moscow. All are welcome. Memorials may be made to the Augustana Lutheran Church Building Fund or to the Humane Society of the Palouse. Both were important to Don.

Humane Society of the Palouse.
2019 E White Ave, Moscow ID 83843
Tel: 1-208-883-1166
Web: https://www.humanesocietyofthepalouse.org

Augustana Lutheran Church Building Fund
PO Box 9625, Moscow ID 83843