IN LOVING MEMORY OF DON BRADSHAW YATES

Don Yates of Portola Valley, CA passed away peacefully at home on July 10, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Don was born in Las Vegas, NV on June 11, 1934 to Sybil and Perry Yates. He attended the Thacher School in Ojai, earned his BS in Engineering at Stanford University (Phi Beta Kappa/Tau Beta Pi) and his MBA at Harvard Business School (Baker Scholar). He worked for Bechtel for a number of years before going on to earn his PhD in Organizational Behavior from UCLA. He had a passion for humanizing business as well as the evolution of education.

Don loved playing soccer. While playing at Stanford, he won the Harry Maloney Award for the player who contributed the most to the soccer team. He refereed for many years for AYSO, and continued to play in the local adult league until the age of 72.

He was a huge fan of opera, and was a season ticket holder at the San Francisco Opera for many years. He was even a DJ for a classical music radio program while serving in the Army in Greenland (Lieutenant). 

Don is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jane Yates, his five children and ten grandchildren. He will be remembered for his wisdom, his humor and his unconditional love for his family.

Donations may be made to the Woodside Priory Chapel Fund - 302 Portola Road, Portola Valley, CA 94028. Thank you.