Obituary of Donald L. Tshudy

Donald L. Tshudy, 96, of Bethlehem, PA, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 21, 2026. Don was predeceased by his loving wife, Jean. They were married for 57 years. He is survived by three sons, Dean (and his wife Marilou), Dale (and his wife Gail), and Dwight (and his wife Akiko), as well as two granddaughters, Jenna (and her husband Nick) and Joelle.

Don was born in 1930 and raised surrounded by the lush farmlands of Lancaster County, PA. “Little Donny” was adored by his parents, Harold and Elsie, and surrounded by a large extended family. He spoke fondly of the many and large family gatherings during his childhood. These celebrations continued into his adulthood and throughout his sons’ lives, carrying on a strong family tradition. 

Don left Lancaster County to attend Nyack College in NY and graduated with a degree in religious education. Following graduation in 1952, he moved to eastern NJ and became a youth pastor at First Baptist Church of Grantwood in Cliffside Park. There he met his future wife, Jean, and they were married in 1954. While living in Pompton Plains, NJ, he worked for a while at the Curtiss-Wright Company. During the teacher shortage of the late 1950s, he was able to secure a teaching position in Matawan, NJ, and Don and Jean moved to New Monmouth, NJ. He returned to school to earn his education degree, and later taught in the Rumson/Fair Haven School District. He continued his education and received a master’s degree in educational administration. Don then accepted a principal position at Oxford Central School, and he, Jean, and their three sons moved to Belvidere, NJ. He was a principal in Mendham, NJ, before taking the position of elementary principal in Belvidere, where he spent most of his career. Don found his true calling in education. He relished teaching and enjoyed working with teachers as an administrator. He found great value in making a positive impact, and those who worked with him would tell you that Don would always do what was best for the students.

Don and Jean had their hands full with three young boys in the house, and they always enjoyed traveling together as a family. There were many family road trips where all five of them (and the family dog) packed into the car and headed south on vacation. Whether they were headed to the Jersey Shore, to North Carolina to see the boys’ cousins, or all the way to Orlando to visit Disney World, it was always an adventure. The boys remember fighting for the quarter to be the first one to use the vibrating bed in the Days Inn motel or counting the number of Pedro’s road signs. Don’s love for adventure wasn’t limited to travel. He also enjoyed hands‑on projects like the time he rebuilt the engine of their beloved 1969 VW Beetle.

When Don retired from the Belvidere School District, he and Jean moved to the Poconos. They remained active in their church, but Don wasn’t ready to slow down. A chance look at a newspaper ad for a position at East Stroudsburg University to assist with student teachers caught his eye, and he decided to apply. The part-time role eventually grew into a full-time faculty position in the Education Department. Never one to stop pursuing learning, Don went back to school and earned his doctorate in Education at age 60, fulfilling one of his lifetime goals. Don retired, earning Emeritus status from ESU. With more free time, they bought an RV and continued their travels, crossing the country visiting family and friends along the way.

They eventually left the Poconos, settled in the Lehigh Valley, and soon began wintering in Florida. They found a winter home in the Orlando area, and it became a time of meeting new people, enjoying annual passes to Disney, and volunteering at Give Kids the World Village. Their home in Florida provided opportunities for the family to gather for cherished celebrations in Disney World, like ringing in the new Millennium in 2000, commemorating Don and Jean’s 50th anniversary with a Disney cruise in 2004, and surprising Don for his 90th birthday in 2020.

Beyond their time in Florida, Don and Jean continued traveling abroad, going on numerous trips with Educational Opportunities to Europe and the Holy Land, organizing and hosting a trip to Oberammergau for the Passion Play, visiting Japan with Dwight and Akiko to see her family, and more.

Don and Jean were blessed with their two granddaughters, Jenna and Joelle. After raising three sons, Don and Jean so enjoyed spending time with their granddaughters. They often picked them up from school, where Don would see many of the teachers he had hired while in Belvidere, and spent time with them on day trips, longer vacations, volunteering at Quiet Valley Historical Farm, and attending their sports games and musical performances. Don was very proud of his granddaughters’ accomplishments.

In his later years and after the passing of Jean, Don remained active and continued to participate in the many pastimes that brought him joy. He frequently attended IronPigs baseball games, shows, concerts, church services, and other outings with his family and friends. Even as life changed, Don carried the same spirit he had always shown. Above all, Don lived a life grounded in faith, service, curiosity, and love. His bright smile, generous attitude, positive outlook, loving spirit, and pride in his family will long be remembered.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages remembrances to be in the form of a donation to organizations that help others and support the arts. Donations can be given in Don’s name to Give Kids the World at https://www.gktw.org/ or ArtsQuest Foundation at https://www.artsquest.org/

A Memorial Service to Celebrate the Life of Don will be held Friday, September 4, 2026, at noon at the Belvidere United Methodist Church, 219 Hardwick St, Belvidere, NJ. A repast will follow in the fellowship hall.