We regret to inform you of the death of our beloved trustee, Don Nydam, on Saturday evening, September 8th, after a long battle with cancer.

Elected to the Board in 2007, Don has served as a sterling Trustee over the years, hosting many of our board meetings in his beautiful home, offering much wise counsel, heartfelt prayer, generous financial support, and consistent words of encouragement.

A most memorable and generous contribution came by way of his funding the total costs of sending his son, Jack, a skilled general contractor, “across the pond” to England, with his entire family of six, to oversee the restoration of The Kilns during the key six-week summer “vacations with a purpose” of 1993 and 1996.

Born in Los Angeles on February 9, 1933, Don went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business and journalism from Pepperdine University. Following graduate studies in business at U.S.C., he served as a senior officer with Pacific Telephone, for 28 years.

Don’s very substantial gifts were also generously invested in local church life and service clubs, and in the development and funding of several major non-profit initiatives, including Mountain View Child Care (“Totally Kids,”), Redlands Christian Home (for seniors), Arrowhead Christian Academy, Redlands Christian School,  Community Christian College, and the C.S. Lewis Foundation.

Please join us in prayers of thanksgiving for his selfless and bountiful service over a lifetime, and in prayers of consolation for his lovely wife, Ruth Ann, and the entire Nydam family as they adjust to the realities of life absent the immediate presence of their joyful patriarch, Don.

With deepest remorse, and great expectations!

J. Stanley Mattson
President & Founder
C.S. Lewis Foundation