Dr. Donald George "Don" Bancroft

Donald George “Don” Bancroft made the journey to his eternal home on March 7, 2024. Don was born on January 7, 1953 in Waukegan, Illinois to Edward George and Genevieve Emerson (Beck) Bancroft. Don lost his mother at the tender age of 6 and his father when he was just 18. Don attended Western Illinois University in Macomb and was a true life-long learner whose interests included the mathematics of shapes, nanotechnology, 3-D printing, comparative religion, art, gardening, entering Sweepstakes (he won a pick-up, a computer, a fancy grill and several guitars among other prizes), troubleshooting for the disabled by crafting adaptive gadgets to help them in their daily lives, woodworking, and carpentry. Don’s work-life over the years included Abbott Laboratories, Ted’s Sandy Beach Resort, Harris Labs in Tempe AZ, and work as a handy-man where his carpentry, electrical and other skills allowed him freedom to express his creativity while helping to support his passions. In 1981, Don received US Patent 4257605 entitled “Rollable body”. Don called the rolling body a Tetrahemicon and, when speaking of the game he invented, the “Rockin’ Roller”. Over the years, he hand-carved or 3D printed and gifted many of these mathematical shapes to friends. Don lived and worked for years in Tempe, Arizona and spent many hours fellowshipping at the famed Mill-Avenue music venue, Long Wongs with members of his favorite band, The Gin Blossoms. Don was generous to a fault. If you asked him what he needed, he’d often tell you about what he needed for a friend instead. It especially gave him great joy to give to a child or an individual in need. Don was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Genevieve, by his sister, Sharon Bancroft Snell Kierein and by his brother, Edward Gary Bancroft. Don is survived by nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends who will miss Don, his quick wit, his brilliant mind and his kind and generous spirit. Thank you to those at Evergreen Village and Richland Beanblossom Nursing Home who assisted Don during his final days. Cremation was performed by Allen Funeral Home in Bloomington, Indiana. Services: A “3D Printing Remembrance” of Don Bancroft will be held Saturday, April 13 from 3 to 5 pm in the Maker Studio, in the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave, Brookfield, IL 60513. A plaque will be placed in his honor. Please make any donations in Don’s memory to the Maker Studio at the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave, Brookfield, IL 60513 where Don spent many joyous hours evangelizing for 3D Printing.

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Dr. Donald George "Don" Bancroft

January 7, 1953 - March 7, 2024