(Pictured above: Don McDougall, center, surrounded by KAA board members at his 2023 retirement)
The KiIlingworth Ambulance Association’s board of directors this week voted to name its annual scholarship after former board member and EMT Don McDougall, who passed away May 22 at the age of 92. McDougall not only was a KAA board member for 47 years and an EMT until he was 80; he headed the scholarship committee that each year awards money to graduating high-school seniors from Killingworth.
“Naming the ambulance scholarship in memory of Don is incredibly appropriate,” said KAA president Dan O’Sullivan. “Don gave over five decades of his life serving the community through the ambulance association as an EMT and board member. Beyond that, Don led the board’s scholarship committee after it was started about 15 years ago.
“Even after Don stepped down from the board, he continued to lead the scholarship committee — with this the first year he was not involved. The Don McDougal Memorial Scholarship is a fitting recognition of a life well-lived in the service of his community.”
McDougall was one of the KAA’s founders, joining others like Killingworth residents Charlie Smith and Dan Perkins to form a group that in 1971 bought a 1964 Cadillac for $3,000 to transport patients. Perkins passed away two years ago at 82, while Smith — the KAA’s first president — is an active member of the Killingworth Lions Club. All three were ackowledged at the KAA’s 50th anniversay celebration at Deer Lake in October, 2021, with McDougall –then 87 and in his 50th year with the volunteer organization — the featured guest.
“He wasn’t what you’d call a book-learned man,” said Smith, “but, practically speaking, he knew about more and different things than almost anyone. Having a scholarship in his name is more than appropriate. It’s the right thing to do, and the Ambulance Association should be proud. It’s a great gesture to name its scholarship after Don McDougall.”
McDougall was buried Friday after a funeral service at St. Lawrence Church.