Skip Navigation

Donald J. Mercer PE, Class of 1966

Donald Mercer passed away peacefully on August 16, 2026. Donald was a member of the Class of 1966 and earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering. He spent his entire career as a traffic and safety engineer for the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).

At MDOT Don became enamored with a cute young secretary, Mary Jo Isbell. After a classic interoffice romance, they wed on August 23, 1969 and enjoyed a marriage of just over 50 years until Mary Jo passed away on November 10, 2019. Mary Jo and Don had three children, daughter Wendy and sons Robert (Lisa) and Thomas (Peter).

Don was a man who deeply loved his family and loved spending time with them. He always had kind words to say about everyone he met. Don was a quiet man, gentle and kind, who preferred working in the background to help make other peoples’ lives better.

More Alumni Notes

Richard Carl “Dick” Meyer, age 95, of Simsbury, CT, passed away on July 23, 2026. He was born in Milwaukee, WI, on September 22, 1930. Dick was a member of the UW Class of 1952 and graduated with a BS degree in engineering. Dick was a ...