Don S. Follett, 96, a loving man, passed away peacefully in his home at Kirkland Village in Bethlehem on October 13, 2025. He was surrounded by his three children and their spouses. He lived his life as a person grounded in his faith with a strong family focus, community orientation and entrepreneurial spirit.
Don was born in Kansas City, Missouri on April 5, 1929, to Roy and Viola (Sparks) Follett. After moving frequently during his formative years, he finished high school in Iowa City, Iowa while his parents were in Washington DC during WWII. After graduation from high school, Don enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1946 and was stationed on the USS Iowa in Hawaii for most of his 18-month tour of duty. Don benefitted from the GI Bill to fund his college education at Cornell University where he graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1952. He also played on the varsity football team. Most importantly, Cornell is where he met his wife, Mabel “Mibs” (Martin), a Home Economics major at Cornell. They were married 69 years until Mibs passed away in October of 2021. She was his “rock”, true love, and best friend.
Don started his professional career in 1952 with Reliance Electric in Cleveland Ohio and then Rockford, IL. After the sudden passing of his father, Roy in October of 1954, Don took a leave from Reliance and went to Long Island to close his father’s business, The Roy Follett Corporation. It was then that he decided to move to Long Island and become the third employee of the company. So began his entrepreneurial career with Follett Corporation, moving it to the Lehigh Valley in 1958 to start manufacturing operations. His professional life was completely focused on growing the business into an enduring enterprise, putting his heart and soul into this venture until his retirement in early 1994. He was involved in leadership positions in numerous industry associations including president of North American Foodservice Equipment Manufacturers in 1984.
Don was involved in corporate and community boards, including Lafayette Trust Bank, Easton Hospital and ProJeCt of Easton where he served as president for a term. He also served in active leadership positions in First Presbyterian Church of Easton. Most importantly, he was a devoted father to his three children, Jim, Steve and Sue, and husband and family partner to the “CEO of the family,” his wife Mibs. Flying became his passion, and he loved flying his Piper Seminole regularly, including a trip across the country with Mibs. He volunteered as a pilot for Angel Flights, transporting sick children to medical facilities all over the East Coast! Don loved cartooning and painting and also wrote a series of “life lessons” called “Boppo Thoughts” that he sent to his 7 grandchildren as they were growing up.
Don and Mibs enjoyed an active retirement life consisting of family, friends and travel. They always placed a high value on giving back through community involvement and charitable activities. Don embraced a philosophy of “helping people to learn to help themselves” and this philosophy helped him prioritize his time, talents and treasures with many different people and organizations.
He was actively involved in Cornell Alumni activities including involvement on the University Council and on the Cornell Engineering Alumni Association board. He also served as alumni class president for one of his college reunions. Don and Mibs were most proud of their gift to endow a professorship at Cornell Tech on Roosevelt Island. After Mibs’ passing, and in her honor, he endowed a chair (Mibs Martin Follett Professor) in the department of Psychology in Cornell’s School of Human Ecology.
Don is survived by his three children – Jim Follett (wife Nancy), Steve Follett (wife Jeanne) and Sue Panella (husband Mark) along with seven grandchildren – Kristina Murphy (Patrick), Eric Follett (Ally), Allyson Follett (Chris Burns), Melissa Follett, Andrew Panella (Jenny Wald), Jeff Panella (Kristina) and Leslie Panella (Hayden Peirce) along with six great grandchildren-Henrik and Maia Murphy, Ivy and Gus Guglielmo, Brooke Panella and James Follett.
A calling period will be held November 29, 2025 from 3 to 5 PM in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA. His Memorial Service will be held November 30, 2025 at 2 PM in Grace Church, 4301 Hecktown Road, Bethlehem. Interment will be private. Contributions in his memory may be made to ProJeCt of Easton, 320 Ferry St., Easton, PA 18042 or at www.projecteaston.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
