Donald R. Fate
Donald R. Fate, a retired oil industry executive and long time resident of New Mexico, passed away on Friday, February 15, 2002, at the age of 76. Born March 13, 1925 and raised in Bellaire, Michigan, he graduated with a Masters Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1944. He served his country as an Ensign in the United States Navy in the final days of World War II. On September 9, 1947 he arrived in Saudi Arabia to begin what would be an illustrious 40 year career with the Arabian American Oil Company, Aramco, the largest oil production company in the world. Working his way through a progression of key jobs in the company's oil operations, Mr. Fate became a Vice President of Aramco in 1968, Senior Vice President of oil operations in 1979 as well as President and CEO of Tapline, an Aramco subsidiary, and the largest trans-national pipeline company in the Middle East. Not long after his arrival in Arabia, Don met Marge Williams, a young secretary from Loving, New Mexico. Their wedding in Geneva, Switzerland, on April 19, 1950 was the beginning of 52 years of marriage and a family of three daughters and seven grandchildren. An avid baseball and basketball player in his early years and an expert tennis player and golfer later on, Don generously volunteered as a referee for countless hundreds of basketball and baseball games during his life in Arabia. Additionally he was an accomplished Duplicate Bridge player and active organizer of tournaments in both Arabia and Bellaire, Michigan. In May of 1986, he retired to live in Albuquerque, spending his summers in his childhood hometown of Bellaire in the upper Michigan peninsula. Mr. Fate is survived by his wife, Marge; three daughters, Sydney Fate Barger and husband, Timothy, of Vista, CA, Stephanie Fate-Dixon and husband, Frank of Olivenhain, CA and Victoria Fate Gorrell and husband, Gregory, of Kennett Square, PA; and his sister, Karin Bargar and husband, Jim, of Bellaire, MI and their three children. Although he will be deeply missed, he will always be remembered by all that knew and loved him as a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather and an honest man with a gentle heart. Services will be held on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 at French Mortuary, Wyoming Blvd. Chapel, 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE at 2:00 p.m. Private disposition will take place in Bellaire, MI at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the New Mexico Boys & Girls Ranch, 6209 Hendrix NE, 87110. French Mortuary, 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE.