It is always a warm feeling to read notes and letters about someone so close.....
 
 

from co-workers......

I had the pleasure of collaborating with Don when I was working at Protein Design Labs. Our work led to the publication of an article in Volume VII of Techniques in Protein Chemistry, but more importantly our discussions gave me valuable insight into technical possibilities and the general world of analytical biotechnology. The tragedy of the SwissAir plane crash was bad enough; losing Don in it makes it especially devastating for me.
  I can hardly find appropriate words in my poor broken English to express my grief and sadness. Don and I were in tight collaboration developing the modified version of ZipTip's for using in nanoelectrospray tandem mass spectrometric sequencing. Less than a week ago we met at the conference in San Francisco, I was proud to present first and very exciting data obtained together. We had a great time and a good drink, and we were supposed to meet today morning here in Heidelberg, and now.... Please pass my deep condolence to his family and his colleagues.
  ...I will never enjoy conferences as much in the future as I did when Don was there; I always knew that no matter how dull the meeting, I'd have at least one thoroughly enjoyable evening hanging out with him. And as I'm sure that you're aware of by now, the same applies to a large number of colleagues, including many I know personally and are equally pained by your brother's passing. The world needs more Don Sheers, and the loss of the one I knew is huge.
  Very sad news about Don. I knew him for many years since he was involved with the development of the blot cartridge for ABI. As I recall, he also was closely involved with the development of the prospin cartridge and spent considerable time helping me set up my own "homespun" version long before it was commercially available. That's the kind of guy he was. Don also developed the SCX cartridge (I believe at Amicon). Anyone who has used these technologies owes a debt of gratitude to Don Sheer. He was truely a gentleman scientist and I will miss him.
  Hi Jerry and family....... Wouldn't you know it...... there's a Cav's game here in Boston the end of next month...... I hadn't had the chance to set it up with Don yet...... but he knew, it was always a standing invite...... steak-tips, basketball(or any sport) and a beer was the passion Don and I shared.......(I can't match his passion for science)..... we even got Rick Garretson to join us sometimes...... Diane didn't care about the Cav's, but she gave me a hard time for not saving the Bulls tickets for her too!! Jerry, this is just a quick note to let you know that our thoughts are with your family...... my wife Jeanne and I are certainly as sad as any words could describe....... Don was a good friend.....
  Thanks for informing me about Dr.Don. It is realy sad to know that Dr.Don Sheer, one of the best researcher dide in planecrash. May his soul rest in peace.
  There are no words for my condolences to you and your family. I knew
your brother for many years. I too lost my brother who was 40 just a month
ago and another brother 24 years old only 11years ago....I know how devestated
you must be.

I met your brother in Cleveland before he went to France...
..... it was you who contacted him and he and I spent
great time again together in San Francisco. Thank you for that! He
introduced me to his best friend Dan in Phoenix and that is where I heard
about this website. I am in such shock....this is a terrible loss. I always
enjoyed Donnies unique earthy warmth and while in San Francisco saw how much
he loved his work and how proud he was of being a scientist. I am so happy
that he accomplished as much as he did, found his love and was enjoying his
life....I am profoundly sad that his family, like my family, has suffered such
a devistating loss of such a "bubbly adorable brilliant soul." I can hardly
see through my tears as I write this.

Again...I am so deeply saddened by the loss you have had and infact the loss the world has
had in Donnie's passing. All I can say is I really understand....fully.

Very sincerely and with incredibly fond memories of Don I pray for all of you
and your peace of mind!

 
 

from other families of SwissAir Flight 111 victims......

My name is Lyn Romano and my husband Ray was with your family members, Donald and Diane.

I am having a memorial service here at my home on Saturday, Sept. 26th and as i receive letters from my husbands "family" on Sept. 2nd I am
adding them in our memorial service by name.. I hope you and your family doesn't mind... we are Catholic... but I need to mention those "family"
members that my Ray were with that night. Donald and Diane will be mentioned by name.. this Saturday at 1:00 at my home.

We have a 27 year old daughter Kathie.. who will be married on Oct. 17th, something Ray would have wanted to go on... Our two son's Raymond
(11) and Randy (9) will now walk our daughter down the aisle.

My Ray was seated in row 9 and.. just maybe he spoke with your Donald and Diane, because that was just the kind of guy he was. Half of my
heart and soul has been torn from my body... because we were not just husband and wife.. We have been together for 25 years.. and our
Anniversary is Oct. 3rd. We are both.. 44 years old and i am not a complete person anymore... but i must crawl forward... there was is no
closure... there never will be.. for me anyway.

My heart and soul goes out to you and your family... and your website is lovely and touching.
Please know that i consider your family... ours now... and forever.

Know that Donal and Diane are part of a Heavenly family now... along with Ray.. and with any luck at all... the entire family of that flight
can help make this world a better place for us... until we can join them..

My prayers and love are with you all... God Bless.

Lyn, Kathie, Raymond and Randy Romano

 

poems......

Love Doesn't Die
Give what's left of me away,
now that I'm gone.
Remember me with a smile and laughter
And if you need to cry...
cry for your brother and sister,
who walk in grief beside you.
And when you need me,
put your arms around anyone and give
to them what you need to give to me.

I want to leave you something...
Something better than words
or sounds.
Look for me in the people
I've known or loved or
helped in some special way.
Let me live in your eyes
as well as in your mind.
You can love me most
by letting love live
within the circle of your arms,
embracing the frightened ones.

Love doesn't die, people do...
So when all that's left of me is love,
give me away as best you can.
I'll see you at home,
where I'll be waiting.

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
OUR FAMILY CRIES IN VAIN,
HOW TO MAKE THE HURTING STOP
HOW TO END ALL OF THE PAIN

WE WILL MISS THEM DEARLY
THEY ARE SO LOVED,
WE PRAY THEY ARE TOGETHER
AND WATCHING FROM ABOVE

THE WAITING FOR THE ANSWERS
TRYING TO SEE THROUGH THE TEARS,
PRAYING THAT THEY ARE AT PEACE
MIGHT HELP TO EASE OUR FEARS

OUR LOVE WILL GO ON
AND OUR HEARTS WILL BE STRONG,
NEVER FORGETTING ALL THE GOOD
FROM TWO PEOPLE THAT ARE GONE


IN MEMORY OF DIANE AND DONALD SHEER
9-3-98
WITH LOVE BY:
Donna Bastarache

(sister-in-law of Diane)