ALFRED S. “AL” DONAU JR.,

a member of a Tucson pioneer family, passed away at his home in Tubac, April 7, 2009.

Al was born in Tucson on May 28, 1917. His father, Alfred S. Donau Sr., was a cattleman and a member of the Arizona Territorial Legislature. His mother, Villette Hummel Donau, was one of the first female real estate and insurance agents.

Al and his uncle, Don Hummel, owned and operated summer concessions in three of America’s finest national parks: Lassen Park, Calif., McKinley Park, Alaska, and Glacier Park, Mont. Al was well respected in the tourism industry. He was honored by the National Park Hospitality Assoc. and the National Park Service for his years of commitment to the visitors of the national parks.

In the winters, from 1956 to 1982, Al and his wife “Frankie” Mary Frank Warren Donau operated the Rex Ranch, a guest/cattle ranch in Amado. In the ranching years, you could find Al on his horse “Joe” or preparing delicious cookout meals in his Dutch ovens.

He shifted from cowboy hat and boots to “wingtips” and a business suit. Al was a true gentleman, he never forgot an important date, his handshake was his word, you could always count on him, he was a hard worker and he did everything in his power to give his family the best life he could. (It was great!)

Friends and family will miss his cowboy hat, stiff drinks, colorful expletives, stories and the entertaining parties he hosted. Dad, we hope you are enjoying your pipe and a jigger of bourbon with good friends!

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Frankie Donau of Tubac; sons “Skip” Alfred S. Donau III of Tucson and Peter (Gail) Donau of Bozeman, Mont; daughters Jan (Hermann) Hastreiter of Tucson and Cha Cha Donau of Tubac. Also surviving are grandchildren Hillary (Eric) Doll, “H.C.” Hermann Hastreiter, Gunnar, Tirzah and Shan Donau, all of Tucson.

There will be no formal service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Tucson Museum of Art for the Plaza of the Pioneers, 140 N. Main St. Tucson, AZ 85701 or Soulistic Hospice, P.O. Box 1990, Tubac, AZ 85646.