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Don G. Stout, 68, sales executive, volunteer

Don G. Stout, 68, of West Chester, who sold commercial printing and volunteered for various causes and once received $10,000 on behalf of the Salvation Army, died Tuesday, Oct. 14, at home of appendiceal cancer.

Don G. Stout
Don G. StoutRead more

Don G. Stout, 68, of West Chester, who sold commercial printing and volunteered for various causes and once received $10,000 on behalf of the Salvation Army, died Tuesday, Oct. 14, at home of appendiceal cancer.

In December 2007, Mr. Stout was serving as a Salvation Army bell ringer outside the Boscov's store in Exton when a man approached and passed him a hand-written note. The letter explained how the Salvation Army had provided him with coffee and doughnuts 40 years before while he served at his military post.

The man never forgot that gesture. Folded with the note was a $10,000 check.

Mr. Stout, a former U.S. Marine captain who served in Vietnam, saluted the man and then gave him a hug. Both had tears in their eyes.

"It turned out to be a really personal exchange," said Catherine Stout, his wife of 46 years. "And that was the largest donation that anyone had gotten at that site."

Mr. Stout spent his childhood on both U.S. coasts, as well as in Bermuda and the Philippines, wherever his father was stationed as a career Navy pilot. He graduated from high school in Springfield, Va., and earned a degree in political science from Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College), where he co-captained the football team and earned the school's Bates Prize for most outstanding male student.

Mr. Stout, who enrolled in the Marine Corps' platoon leader program while still in college, reported to the Basic School at Quantico for officer training after graduation. He arrived in Vietnam in 1970 and saw action as an observation commander for an artillery unit, his wife said. Mr. Stout earned a Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service.

Mr. Stout started his career in Maryland with the Standard Register Co. as a salesman of commercial and industrial printing. He formed close friendships with many of his longtime customers.

"What he really liked about [the job] was the people," his wife said. "Many of his customers over the years became family friends. He built strong, true friendships."

In 1985, Mr. Stout and his family, which by then included three children, moved to West Chester when he became sales manager of the Valley Forge office of Duplex, another commercial printing company.

"When we moved up here, everybody was very welcoming and warm," Catherine Stout said. "It was a very exciting time for us and fun to discover a new place."

Mr. Stout immersed himself in the community, including becoming an active member of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity in West Chester. He recently helped coordinate a renovation project there.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Stout is survived by a daughter, Amy; sons Kenneth and Daniel; two sisters; two grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, grandnephews, and grandnieces.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Church of the Holy Trinity, 212 S. High St., West Chester, Pa. 19382. Interment of ashes in the church memorial garden will follow.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Church of the Holy Trinity, Attn: Outreach Ministries (Don Stout memorial) or to the scholarship fund of the Valley Forge chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, Attn: Scholarship fund (Don Stout memorial), Box 254, Valley Forge, Pa. 19481.

610-313-8118

@Ben_Finley