Donald Hensinger

Don Hensinger - a father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend - and an inspiration to so many, was born October 19, 1925 and passed away on May 16, 2026. He survived by his wife of nearly 76 years Dorothy, their three children Debora, Dale and Donna, granddaughters Tyler and Alexis, great grandchildren Aaliyah and Amani, and everyone whose lives he touched throughout his lifetime.

Joining the “hundred year club“ was no easy task but he got there the same way he got to everything else in his life - hard work, pivoting rationally and intelligently whenever necessary to deal with adversity, and never complaining.

Don lost his father at age 13 and at 15 he worked summers stacking cans at the Cannery to provide for his mother. At 17 he left high school to serve our country in WW II in the Coast Guard/Merchant Marine and began his career on the ocean, traveling the world, caring for his mother and eventually raising and supporting his own family.

In 1944 during the invasion of Leyte, Philippines, Don survived a close kamikaze attack. Then in 1947, the tanker he was on in the Pacific broke in two at night in 30 foot waves during a storm 1100 miles northwest of Oahu. Don assisted the radio officer to send out an SOS message never knowing if it would be received. Ten crew members survived 57 hours on the bow section (many did not) before being rescued by a passing liner. In 1953 Don survived a second ship sinking off San Francisco and was brave enough to continue sailing as 2nd officer on more merchant ships! Don’s maritime work took him all over the world and in 1958, with his growing family he took a shoreside job with a stevedoring company in the Philippines for 3 years. When returning to USA in 1961 he excelled in jobs as cargo supervisor, container operations manager, terminal manager and in 1976 started his own shipping agency. As a good family man Don helped raise his children, attended their programs and activities, and perhaps most importantly showed them how to build a life that was meaningful.

In 1979 Don & Dorothy started another adventure taking a job in Saudi Arabia where he helped develop the new Crude Oil Terminal of Yanbu. Two years later his port management expertise was utilized in Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico, where he was involved in developing a new container facility and even helped train the personnel in how to run the equipment.

Even in retirement, Don volunteered with the group International Executive Service Corps using his vast background in shipping operations allowing he and Dorothy more travel adventures including projects in Columbia and Ukraine.

Given that Don has always been so physically strong, his heart attack at age 64 was a complete surprise. After the ensuing quadruple bypass surgery, he completely revamped his diet and made the absolute most out of his second chance, adjusting and continuing his exercise regime that was part of his entire life. Hiking up Diamond Head, HI in his late 80s, as well as hitting the gym 3 to 4 days a week well into his 90s, he showed the rest of us how to never quit. Not to mention speaking at Mended Hearts to inspire and help others beginning their journeys.

A native Santa Cruzan who started out on King Street and went to Mission Hill elementary and Santa Cruz High, Don & Dorothy entertained at their home for many decades, giving back to the community and it’s people in so many heartfelt and meaningful ways. All of us that were fortunate enough to have met and gotten to know them are the lucky ones. Our memories of Don and his spirit will live on, as each of us share those life lessons with those we love, further honoring his sense of giving to others.

Don was smart, loving, self-motivated, extremely dependable, and an inspiration to us all!