Donald Charles Chumley

donald chumley
Our father, Donald Chumley, was born in the Bronx, New York, to his loving parents, Irving and Ennis. While growing up, he spent the school years in New York and summers in the Waco, Texas area, where his mother was from. As the first college graduate in his family, our father received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Economics. While studying law at New York University, his father Irving died suddenly, age 50. Despite the shock of his father's unexpected death, and the need to care for his widowed mother, our father graduated law school shortly thereafter. He also served in the US Army Reserve (USAR).

Dad then moved to Washington DC, to join the Securities and Exchange Commission shortly after graduation. He served as an attorney there for 53 years. He found his service in the Federal Government a source of great professional fulfillment and personal pride. In 1966 he married our mother, Eleanor, and shortly after, we, his daughters, were born.

As a Vienna, Virginia resident since 1979, he also served for 33 years as a member of the town's Boards of Planning and Zoning, and he took pride in watching Vienna develop. Springtime was often spent at Caffi Field, where his daughters played softball; summers were spent at the Vienna Aquatic Club, where his daughters were members of the Swim Team. Regular trips to New York were made to care for his mother, Ennis, and to visit his wife Eleanor's family. Reading about history and politics, taking long walks and bike rides, and most of all, talking to his family across the US and around the world were just some of the things he loved to do. As many of you may know, stamp collecting was a passion he had since he was a child, and he continued with this well into his 80s. Dad also carried on our grandmother's wonderful tradition of sharing family stories. Most importantly, Dad shared his parents' habit of being kind to others - he did not care about one's religion or race; he only cared if someone was kind.

Our father was a generous man: He helped those who he could, including our mother, who long suffered from ailing health. He volunteered at church; he volunteered in the town. More often than he probably envisioned, he changed the kitty litter and fed the cats which we had, as children, had begged him to have. However, he also made certain to sample an scoop of ice cream we had - a "poison check" as he called it, and he never met a cookie or a bagel he didn't like. :)

He voted dutifully and carefully, and he thought about others. He lacked vanity or ego; he put others before himself, and he gave us, his daughters, the attention, kindness, and protection a child could wish for. He always, always looked out for us.

To the very end of his life, he would often end his emails and talks with us with a reminder: "No matter what, you're always my baby." In his company, he would give us a very gentle pat on the hand. That touch made us feel safe; that touch made everything right in the world. We have been gifted to know it.

In latter years, Dad's beloved grandchildren - Robbie, Ryan, Danny and Julia - gave him much joy and laughter. After our mother's passing, Dana and her family moved back to Vienna to support Dad. It gave him tremendous happiness to have his family close and to remain in the house and town he loved.

While his health increasing grew weak, his love remained unfailing for his family and friends. Just before he passed, he still blew kisses to his daughters. His body failed, but never his love.

He was a very good man.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in our fathers memory to the American Humane Society.

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  1. Donald and my husband Bernard were lifelong friends until Bernards passing in 2010. After that Donnie kept in touch with me always checking on my well being. Dana and Maren I am very sorry for your loss and I will miss his telephone calls. I have many happy memories of the times all four of us spent together through the years. Judi Goldhamer

  2. Donald was my stepfather. He had so much pride of his daughters. His choice for going into the public sector was to make sure to be able to raise them the proper way and that say everything about who he was. When I think about Don, I think about Love, Kindness and Generosity. I could still see the child in his eyes while he was asking to not tell anyone while we were having a donut together. He was passionate about Westerns and stamps. Stamps reveals a piece of history and it was a seed for him to dream and visualize other places and time. Donald was and always will be like a father in my heart. Fabien Michel

  3. Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss… with fond memories of a caring neighbor, Donald Chumley. Sent with love and remembrance,

  4. Although we have never met in person our family knows your love, kindness, and laughter through the beatiful stories Dana has shared.

  5. Maren and family, I am so deeply sorry for this passing of your beloved father. I know he was a central figure in your lives as much as you were to his. Fond memories exist of our nights in Jerry’s Deli in Westwood Los Angeles talking and laughing. You could tell he cherished being a part of your life. He taught you well, and his teachings continue with the passing of this knowledge on to his grandchildren. A smart, kind man. An angel walking the planet. You were some of the lucky ones, the knowledge of which in no way diminishes your pain. I feel the sadness of his absence and hold your hearts as you say goodbye❤️

  6. Dad, age 20, with some of his best friends: (l-r) Dad, Bruce Aaron, Bernard Goldhamer, Stan Goldfarb (rear), and Stu Ridner.

    • Nice photo. My condolences for your loss. I interacted with your father on numerous occasions over the past couple of decades and found him to be a stand-up guy. I’m doing an obituary on your father for the Sun Gazette Newspapers. Could you please call me at (703) 738-2534? I have a few details I’d like to get, as well as a good photo of him. Sincerely, Brian Trompeter

  7. My deepest condolences and sympathies to the Chumley family. Don was a decent and caring gentleman and his volunteer work for the Town will always be remembered.

  8. Uncle Donnie was …has always been one of my favorite people. His phone calls usually were less than 5 minutes—usually just to ask how everyone was and to tell me he loved me. He loved stamp collecting and my children would each receive First Day of Issue covers from time to time as a way of Uncle Donnie saying “Hi kid, I love you and I’m thinking of you”. He has been such a constant in my life and his love has never failed…even when others threw me away. He taught me so much and gave me strength when I was at my weakest and lowest points in my life. I will miss him so much. To Uncle Donnie: “So long Kid…I love you.”

  9. Dear Maren & family, my heartfelt condolences. Your father was a wonderful human. I loved to listen to your beautiful letters, your friend Katrin.

  10. My thoughts and prayers are with Dana, Maren, and the entire Chumley family. Don was a kind and caring public servant. He served the Town of Vienna for over 30 years on the Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning Commission. He also served as the Chairman for each of those boards. He helped make the Town feel accessible, connected and community oriented. I remember seeing him regularly walking around southwest Vienna with a smile on his face. Don will be greatly missed!

  11. My sincere condolences to the family of Don Chumley. I was a work colleague of Don’s for decades and a neighbor and friend of Don’s in Vienna. He was a very kind and generous person. Whenever he came by my office at work, it was a very nice and welcome visit. And when our family needed help navigating Vienna’s process for zoning appeals and other matters, Don was always very helpful and generous with his time. After he retired, he kept in touch by asking me to be his “delivery person” bringing stamp collecting magazines that he had finished reading to another work colleague at the office. I was always happy to see Don at my door dropping off another package of magazines for me to ferry into D.C., and I was happy to help him. I will fondly remember Don and miss him. He was the only person who called me “Young Man,” which I always loved, but came to love more and more as I got older and older. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time. Greg Faragasso

  12. Don was the sweetest and kindest friend anyone can wish for. He always showed compassion and took sincere internet in our lives. He gave us knowledge and encouragement when it was most needed and, in a sense, was like a close family member to us. We have a lot to be grateful for to Don and he will always live in our hearts. He will be deeply missed.


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