Remembering Donald W. Fundingsland
WCCF founder; hospital executive
1938-2025
Don Fundingsland was one of five founders of the Waukesha County Community Foundation in 1999, along with Bev Chappie, the late Dr. LaVern Herman, Peter Lettenberger, and Bryce Styza. His leadership and foresight were crucial in establishing the WCCF, which has now grown to a community foundation with 400+ funds and more than $75M in total assets. However, his role in the WCCF’s history was only one part of the positive difference he made in the Waukesha community.
He was 35 years old and an Air Force veteran when he was named as the president of Waukesha Memorial Hospital, serving from 1974 to his retirement in 2002. During his career, he helped grow Waukesha Memorial to the ProHealth Care system, where he served as president and chief executive officer.
Peter Lettenberger shared, “I had the pleasure of working with Don Fundingsland for many years as a member of the Board of Directors of ProHealth Care. As President, Don was an exceptional leader and a major force in making ProHealth Care a strong and vibrant hospital system in Waukesha County. He also was active in many local charitable organizations. In addition to being a founder of WCCF, he was especially proud of his 19 years of leadership in creating the Waukesha Frame Park Walk, which continues to stand out as a beautiful biking, hiking and event location. Thank you, Don, for your friendship and unrelentless leadership.”
Fundingsland was recognized with the Don Richards Leadership Award by the Waukesha County Business Alliance in 1995 and also served on the Fox River Development Board. After his career in healthcare, he became an artist, exhibiting at Door County galleries where he lived in retirement. He died on February 12, 2025 from Alzheimer’s and heart disease.
