Donald Ward

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Dr. Donald Earl Ward, 79, of Pittsburg, Kansas passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Via Christi Village in Pittsburg, Kansas after a brief illness.

He was born November 30, 1946, in Hammond, Indiana, the son of Earl and Dorothy (Foster) Ward. He graduated from Morton High School in Hammond, Indiana, Depauw University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Honors, and Purdue University where he received his Master's and PhD in Counseling and Counselor Education.

On November 27, 1971, he was united in marriage to Susan Gordon at Twelfth Avenue Baptist Church in Evansville, Indiana. They moved to Pittsburg in 1976. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and loving wife, Susan.

Dr. Ward taught thousands of university students over 43 years at Pittsburg State University and Ball State University until his retirement in 2017. He was known by his students for his warm and engaging teaching style and his high expectations of students stemming from a strong value for excellence and the conviction that all people are capable of more than they believe.

His professional accomplishments include PSU University Professor, President & Editor- Journal for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW), Counseling Accreditation Board Member and Vice Chair, ASGW Fellow, ASGW President's Award for Extraordinary Service to the Field of Group Work, numerous Research Article awards, the PSU Department of Psychology and Counseling Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Thomas J. Sweeney Award for Visionary Leadership and Advocacy 2017 . He authored many textbook chapters and co-authored two books in the field of group work, including his final book with his son as co-author.

Dr. Ward was a prolific reader with a library of thousands of books. He loved stories, great British television, and ancient Roman history. He and his wife Susan lived in England and Spain for a year while he taught at US Air Force bases in the mid-1970's.

He was a lifelong lover of sports and was a four year letterman at offensive tackle at Depauw University where he was on academic scholarship. He was a faithful fan of Pitt State Gorilla football, Purdue University, the Chicago Bears, and the Chicago Cubs. 

Beneath an exterior of stalwart daily focus and clockwork routines he had a rare combination of brilliant mind and big heart that could prompt tears in his eyes watching a good movie and an exhaustive memory of sports statistics stretching from the 1927 New York Yankees to the 1993 Pittsburg Kansas Babe Ruth Baseball State Champions. He often served as a coach with his children's sports teams as they grew up and he attended every game.

Survivors include a son, Christopher Ward and his wife, Jessica of Greensboro, North Carolina; a daughter, Jennifer Glenn and her husband, Jereme of Joplin, Missouri; a sister, Denise (Ward) Brewer and her husband, Parke of Silver Spring, Maryland; eight grandchildren, Annalise Ward, Benjamin Ward, Baron Zanetto, Vivian Ward, Johnathon Glenn, Jacob Glenn, Joshua Glenn, and Julie Glenn; and three great-grandchildren, Sterling Slankard, Walker Glenn, and Solomon Glenn.

Services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 14, at Pittsburg Nazarene Church with Pastor Kyle Rogers officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday (February 13) at Brenner Mortuary, where friends may come by after 11 a.m. Friday to sign the book. Dr. Ward requested that memorials be given to Pittsburg Nazarene Church (PittNaz). These may be left at or mailed to Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Online condolences may be left at www.brennermortuary.com <http://www.brennermortuary.com/>. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg.