Donald Ward Schacht

Retired Judge Donald (“Don”) Ward Schacht’s rewarding and courageous life ended peacefully on March 13, 2026, surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was 79 years old.

Don was born on November 28, 1946, to Erwin (“Erv”) and Marjorie (“Marge”) Schacht in Dallas, Texas. Erv and Marge raised Don and his sister, Susan, in a loving home in Tigard, Oregon.

Don graduated from Tigard High School in 1965 and became a lifelong “Coug” at Washington State University (“WSU”), where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 1969. During his years at WSU, he was a pitcher on the WSU baseball team, receiving an athletic scholarship, was the President of Beta Theta Pi, and cared for and fed Butch, WSU’s live cougar mascot.

After college, Don went on to pitch in a semi-professional baseball league, working toward his goal of playing professionally in Major League Baseball, before a knee injury resulted in his “retirement” from the game. In addition, Don attended Willamette University School of Law, graduating with a juris doctorate in 1972.

Upon obtaining his law degree, Don moved to Walla Walla, Washington, and began his legal career in private practice. He was very proud and appreciative of his career and the professional opportunities it offered. In approximately 1977, he became a deputy prosecutor for the Walla Walla County Prosecutor’s Office and, shortly after, was elevated to Chief Deputy Prosecutor for the county. In 1987, after running unopposed, Don became the Walla Walla County Prosecutor at the age of 40. Just two years later, Don was elected to the position of Walla Walla County Superior Court Judge, taking office in January 1989. Don proudly served all of the people of Walla Walla County as judge for 6 four-year terms, eventually retiring from the bench and his career at the end of 2012. He was the second-longest serving Superior Court Judge in the State of Washington since the State’s territorial days in the 1860s. He took his judicial position seriously, approaching each matter before him with the goal of ensuring all voices were heard, the law was upheld, and a fair, equitable decision was made.

In his personal life, Don relished time with his wife, children, and grandchildren, as well as his multiple passions. In 1979, Don married his life partner, Margaret Schacht, where they blended their respective families including their kids, Heidi, Megan, and Ward, and had their son, Nathan, which sealed the family into one unit. Heidi, Megan, Ward, and Nathan, and his grandchildren and great-grandchild, were Don’s pride and joy, and he loved spending time with them and Margaret any time he could.

Don was passionate about everything he did. He loved the outdoors, including camping, white water rafting, hunting, and running, including running the Hood to Coast Relay on multiple occasions. Don also loved a good road trip, driving his family in their trusty Suburban all over the country (even to Alaska!) to visit far-reaching corners of the United States and Canada. In retirement, Don and Margaret volunteered for the mounted patrol for the Walla Walla County Search and Rescue team, and Don was an active volunteer at Fort Walla Walla, including its Living History exhibitions, where he portrayed Judge William Langford, the Walla Walla area’s first territorial justice.

Besides his family, Don was particularly proud of and interested in antique cars. More specifically, he loved to research, restore, and drive his “Schacht” automobiles (manufactured by a motor car company sharing his family’s last name), antique cars from the early twentieth century. You could frequently see Don and his family driving these vehicles in various Walla Walla parades, and he was a proud member (and several-time President) of the Walla Walla Historical Auto Club.

Don lived an active and full life, and his family and friends will dearly miss him. Don is survived by his wife, Margaret; children, Heidi Forbes (Chris), Megan Murray, Ward Schacht (Maribel), and Nathan Schacht; grandchildren, Kaytlin Forbes, Michael Forbes (Michelle), Mackenzie Forbes, Grace Murray, McKenna Murray, and Alyssa Prydz; and great-granddaughter, Charlotte Forbes; sister, Susan Garrett; nephew, Ryan Garrett (Kelly) and family; and niece, Lacey Garrett (Henry).

A private family memorial was held.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Don’s honor to The Walla Walla YWCA, The Blue Mountain Humane Society, or The Fort Walla Walla Museum through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.