Obituary: Donald W. Greenberg (April 12, 1943 — June 24, 2026)

Long-time Juneau resident Don Greenberg, 83, passed away at his home recently after a short illness. He was surrounded by family and leaves behind a legacy that can only be summarized by one word: inspirational.  

Donald W. Greenberg

Don was born to Joseph Greenberg and Sylvia Bertman in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  The youngest of two boys, Don had a penchant for learning and he excelled in school.  After graduating high school, he headed west and attended the University of the Pacific, where he earned his bachelor’s degree.  He then attended UC San Diego where he earned a master’s degree.  

While in college, he met Ellen Hancock (Ryker) and the two would marry and eventually raise four children. After college, Don took a teaching job in Nome after impressing school administrators with his robust enthusiasm and innovative teaching style.  The family then moved to Juneau where Don taught several years of elementary education before he turned his attention to teaching at the university level (UAS), namely in Math, Physics, and Astronomy.  Students often commented that Don’s classes were the best, yet toughest classes they ever took.  As a professor, Don achieved his second Master’s degree from the University of Washington.  

Don and Ellen divorced and then Don married Early Childhood Development professor Marjorie (Marjie) Fields in 1988.  They remained married for the next 38 years and both retired in 2003.

Throughout his life, Don was a stalwart example of health, fitness, and family. Don was known for being a long distance road runner before it became popular.  After a knee injury, Don began swimming year-round at Auke Rec to Pt. Louisa. He swam among the seals, sea lions, and whales and talked to those in awe when he came out of the water.  At 40, Don became a certified diver and then an advanced diver. He had over 1500 dives and dove international destinations such as the Galapagos, Thailand, Belize and Palau. One of his greatest prides was encouraging and diving with his children and grandchildren.  

Don was an avid member of the Juneau Folk Dancing group and attended local dances nearly every week in Juneau, AK and Edmonds, WA.  He instructed many of the dances over the years.  Don was also very active in the tennis community and at the gym.  His physique was so good that many men asked to “trade bodies” with him.  

But Don’s greatest love was family. He and Marjie organized regular family gatherings to Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean.  The times together were a way to reconnect, recharge, and rejoice and a model his children are following.

Don is survived by his wife Marjie, daughters Rebecca Nesheim (Neil) and Rachel Greenberg (David), sons Reuben Greenberg (Jamie) and Aaron Greenberg (Joy), stepsons Mike Fields (Debbie) and David Fields (Maggie), 13 grandchildren, Patricia Westbrook (David), Shaun Nesheim (Shelby), Adam Nesheim (Aubrey), Donny Greenberg, Ali Greenberg, Anthony Jara (Lori), Morgan Jara, Tiffany Jara, Sara Fields, Caroline Fields, Jackson Fields, Callie Fields, and Macy Fields plus two great grandchildren, Bering Nesheim and Cohen Nesheim.  

A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 4 p.m. in the Eagle Shelter at Auke Rec.  Friends and family are invited to attend.  In lieu of flowers, donate to a charity of your choice.