Mr. William "Don" Bear, 90, of Rochester and formerly of Zionsville passed away at 9:12 AM  on Wednesday, October 10 , 2018 at Woodbridge Health Campus of Logansport.

On July 5 , 1928, William Donald Bear was born in Boone County.  He and his twin brother, Gene, were the treasured  sons of  William F. and Stella Foster Bear.  In 1946, Don graduated from Zionsville High School.  He later studied business at Butler University.

In Indianapolis, on November 12 . 1949, Don married his beautiful redhead, Ida May Birt.  They shared 54 years of life's adventures.  From their union came three wonderful children, Pam, Dan and Joe.  The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A devoted member of The Hartford Insurance Company, Don served as a regional manager in Omaha, NE,  Pasadena, CA and  the Milwaukee, WI offices for 33 years.  He retired in 1987 moving to Rochester and built a home on Lake Manitou.  In Zionsville Don was a member of the American Legion Post # 79 and the Charles F. Frank Masonic Lodge # 760 where he earned the distinction of a 32nd degree Mason.  He was also a member of the Scottish Rite  and the Murat Shrine Club both of Indianapolis.  Locally he enjoyed memberships at the Manitou Moose Lodge # 1107,  Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Elks Club # 2129.  Don was proud to be a member of the Arcadia Rogues, when he lived in California.

In his early years Don played  competitive  fast pitch softball, earning a position on the starting  pitching rotation. Twin brother, Gene was his catcher.  He also enjoyed baseball, bowling, and as an ace card player was nearly unbeatable at the bridge table.  Golf was a passionate game for Don,  as he played many area and local courses with his friends.  Memorable vacations included accompanying Dan to Australia and venturing off to Switzerland with  Ida.

Paramount in his life was his family, Grandpa Bear was proud to oversee four generations.  He is best remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather.  He loved grilling out at the lake for special family celebrations.   Don enjoyed taking his grandkids, family and friends on pontoon rides on the waters of Lake Manitou.

Left to cherish Don's memory are his  daughter, Pamela S. Carr of Rochester and companion Richard Dowell of Norwalk, OH; two sons: Dan Bear and wife Gabrielle of Riverside, CA, and Joseph Bear of Valley View, TX; Don's companion, Millie Parkhurst of Carmel; nine grandchildren: Lisa Eytcheson, Carey Carr-Dilts, Heather Carr, Rachel Bear McKnight, Sarah Bear, Jessica Bear, Rebecca Bear, Sabrina Bear,  Austin Bear; and seven great-grandchildren.

Preceding Don in death are his parents William and Stella Bear, beloved wife Ida,  his twin brother, Milton Eugene Bear and son-in-law Larry Carr.

A celebration of the life of Mr. William "Don" Bear will  be at 5:00 PM  on Monday, October 15 , 2015 in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18 ^th St., Rochester.  Rev. Kerry O'Brien and Mrs. Lynne O'Brien will officiate.  The Rochester Masonic Lodge #79  will conduct a memorial service at 4:45 PM.  Friends may visit with the family from 3-5 PM on Monday .  Memorials may be made to ALS Foundation Indiana Chapter, 7202 E 87th St #102, Indianapolis, IN 46256 or Alzheimer's Association, 322 Eighth Ave., 7 ^th Floor, NY, NY 10001.