Don Hather was born on March 5, 1941, in Grand Island, Nebraska. Betty Harris was born on May 7, 1942, in St. Michael, Nebraska. They were married and became the “Hathers” on June 3, 1962. They lived in Kearny, Nebraska until Don graduated from the University of Nebraska Kearny. While attending the university Don played on the college football and wrestling teams. His love and talent for these two sports were honored when he was inducted into the University’s Athletic Hall of Fame for both sports. His passion for athletics never faltered and a commitment to teaching was a natural progression for Don. Following graduation, Don taught and coached in Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, and finally Alaska.
The Hathers made the big move to Hoonah, Alaska in 1975. From the day they arrived both Don and Betty seemed to be Alaskans at heart, keeping the work they did with students as their main focus and passion in life. Betty worked in school administration while Don continued his teaching and coaching career. They moved to Tok in the early 80’s where Don’s reputation grew as an intense and dynamic coach and helped to bring many athletes to several state competitions. In 1986 Don was named Alaska State Wrestling Coach of the Year and was inducted into the Alaska Coaching Hall of Fame and the Alaska Officials Hall of Fame.
When Don and Betty Hather retired to Skagway in 1996 after searching for a tight-knit community, their impact was felt by those around them, “…they brought with them their warm and generous nature. They jumped in with both feet supporting the school and welcoming everyone into their home and to their table. They embodied the notion that you get what you give. They were always eager to embrace the whole of Skagway and in return, they were given a retirement full of adventures, fishing stories, card games, and more sporting events than one can count surrounded by the warmth of Skagway even on the coldest winter days. It was a perfect match and they are woven into the Skagway fabric.” (Guest Contributor, April 8, 2022; The Skagway News; Obituary- Betty Arlene (Harris) Hather https://skagwaynews.com/2022/04/08/obituary-betty-arlene-harris-hather/)
It was always their collective ambition to support the youth in the community they loved. To that end, when Don passed in 2011 Betty created a scholarship for Skagway graduates in honor of her
husband. Betty passed in 2022, and the proceeds from her estate were used to create the Hather Family Scholarship in February 2024, as were her wishes.
This scholarship is a continuation of the enrichment of other people’s lives that they were so well known for.
2024 Hather Family Scholarship Application
To Donate
Donate by credit card using the link below or make your checks payable to Juneau Community Foundation, 350 North Franklin Street, Suite 4, Juneau, Alaska 99801. Please call us at 907-523-5450, or email info@juneaucf.org for information on donating stock, wiring funds, establishing a Fund, gifting a portion of a Qualified Charitable Distribution from your IRA, or naming the Juneau Community Foundation in your will as a designated beneficiary.
