Donald Duane Solter

Donald Duane Solter Jr.—a petroleum geologist who loved the mountains, his friends, and his family—died March 31, 2020, at St. John's hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma with his son by his side after a fight with pancreatic cancer. He was 78 years old.

Donald was born in Columbus, Ohio on May 27, 1941 to Duane and Ellen Solter, but grew up in Wichita, Kansas along with his sister Barbara, and younger brother Lee. After high school, Donald was accepted at MIT with hopes of studying mathematics. However, after only one semester, a new passion took him over...the study of rocks. Donald decided to drop out of MIT and go to Ohio State University to study geology. It would be a passion that would last the rest of his life. During his time in college, Donald met his wife Dianne (Boyer) Solter, who worked for The White Castle corporate offices in Columbus. They were married in 1962.

After completing his master's degree in the mid 60s, Donald landed his first job in the petroleum industry working for Texaco. So he moved to Houston, Texas with his wife and their two Siamese cats Davy and Dink. Once settled down in their Spanish-styled house complete with a banana tree, their one and only son Doug W. was born in 1969. The Siamese cats were not happy, but they adjusted to the noisy child who pulled their tails. Donald then moved his family once again in 1975 to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he took on a new challenge by working for Tulsa-based Helmerich & Payne. He would stay with their oil and gas exploration division until his retirement in 2004.

Donald loved playing golf, reading science fiction novels, skiing down Colorado mountains as well as hiking around them with friends. He enjoyed opera and classical music. Donald was also obsessed with steam locomotives, building HO-scale layouts at home while riding the real things outside as much as he could. He dearly loved his wife Dianne, who challenged his renowned patience over the years as she nudged him out of his comfort zone. Donald was a popular member of his church as well as their choir and was loved by his friends and family. He will now rest beside his wife who passed away in 2008.

Donald is survived by his son Doug, Broken Arrow, OK; sister, Barbara Ashcroft (Rich), Hookstown, PA; brother, Lee Solter(Anita) Prairie Village, KS; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Due to COVID-19, a full memorial service will be held in June at Faith United Methodist Church, 7431 E 91st St, Tulsa, OK 74133. Final date will be announced. Please check www.schaudtfuneralservice.com for updated information. In lieu of flowers, you can either donate a memorial tree in Don's honor through his listing on the Schaudt's website or make a donation to Faith United Methodist Church.

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? –Psalm 8:3-4 (NIV)