Donald Byrd Scholl

DONALD BYRD SCHOLL… Don… Dad… DB… D-Byrd… Graddy… he had many monikers, but he was really one of a kind. Don passed away early morning March 27, in his sleep, in his own bed, in his own home, and with loved ones at his bedside. After 88 years of a life well lived, he left us of natural causes, with no regrets, and a vibrant extended family to carry on the many traditions established by him and his loving wife, Peg, who preceded him in death. For 65 years they were the consummate couple.

Don was born February 24, 1936, to Katherine Parker Scholl and Robert Hargest Scholl in Englewood, NJ. He was the younger brother of Robert P. Scholl (Middlebury, CT). He spent the better part of his youth growing up in Darien, CT and attended Vermont Academy (Class of ’55). By his own admission he was a mediocre student and not one bit athletic. Instead of playing sports, he was the team manager for both the football and ice hockey teams, a harbinger of his future career in management consulting.

Don attended Haverford College where, by good fortune, he met the love of his life, Peggy Justice, an Agnes Irwin debutante. As fate and love would have it, Donald graduated in 1959, already married and father to their newborn daughter, Sandra.

Graduating with a BA in Economics, Don set out to earn “a living wage” wherever he was guided. His career bounced from salesman to public relations to manufacturing, until he found his true calling in the early 70’s, management training and consulting to the North American Certified Public Accounting industry.

He was bad at math and knew nothing about accounting, so how did he succeed in the CPA industry? Like EF Hutton…he listened…and he communicated, quite well.  For 45 years, Don ran his own consulting firm advising CPA partners how to run their businesses better, became a thought leader in the industry, and ultimately was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in Public Accounting.

When it came time to managing things at home, Don was happy to be co-pilot to Peg.  Now parents of four, with the addition of sons Christopher, Jonathan, and Randy, they were a great team with a wide circle of friends and many interests. They restored three houses and built two more, all of which were warm and welcoming to their family and larger circles of friends. Don had a passion for do-it-yourself projects and built numerous out-buildings on his properties, teaching his kids how to wield a hammer along the way. Don also had a passion for driver’s cars, both old and new. With his son-in-law, Brian, he renovated two classic MGs, rallied with Peg, and won numerous awards at car shows.

They traveled extensively as a couple and family.  Seeing the world was important to Don’s understanding of other cultures, and to being a good steward of the earth. Following his lead, all the children explored the world themselves, living for some time far away, but somehow all returned to West Chester to settle and raise their own families close by.

Don and Peg were blessed with four children-in-laws by marriage: Brian, Susan, Terry and Stina (deceased) along with eight grands, Evan, Colin, Madeline, Heath, Nigel, Ian, Gabriel, and Sophia.

Donald was not a religious man in the god-fearing, church-attending kind of way. Instead, he preferred to show his faith through a commitment to family, community, and an appreciation for the world at large. He was a founding contributor to Uptown! Theater, a volunteer for Meals On Wheels, a board member of Historic Sugartown Village, and an passionate benefactor of local artists.

He was our shepherd, and in that spirit, we will be hosting a Celebration of Life ceremony in his honor:

Sunday, April 14, 2024

Church of the Loving Shepard

1066 S New Street

West Chester PA, 19382

The receiving line will begin at 12:30pm, the service beginning at 1:30, with reception to follow.  Men attending are invited to honor Donald’s fashion sense and wear a colorful collared shirt and V-neck sweater; no ties required.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Don’s name to Natural Lands Trust to continue the preservation of open space, a mission and organization dear to his heart.