1.1A Senate resolution
1.2honoring the life of Don Craighead.
1.3WHEREAS, Don Craighead was born on April 11, 1934, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to James
1.4and Jeannette Craighead. Don grew up in St. Paul, graduated with distinction from Monroe High
1.5School in 1952, and then graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1957 with a degree in
1.6Mechanical Engineering; and
1.7WHEREAS, Don married Sandy in 1966 and they raised four children together, moving
1.8from St. Paul to North Oaks in 1971. Don loved his family and family vacations were treasured by
1.9all, particularly their 50th Wedding Anniversary trip to Mexico; and
1.10WHEREAS, in 1961, Don and his father launched Craighead & Associates. In 1964, they
1.11founded Power/mation. Don and his father worked together for a total of 30 years; and
1.12WHEREAS, in 1984, Don won the St. Paul Chamber Small Businessman of the Year award
1.13and was selected as a WCCO Good Neighbor. Under Don's leadership Power/mation expanded
1.14with branches across the Midwest, and in 1990, Don sold the business to four of his salesmen, who
1.15gave him a blaze orange sportscoat as a gag gift that Don actually loved and wore often; and
1.16WHEREAS, after selling the business, Don discovered his true passions in life: networking,
1.17mentoring, and helping young people. Don was known for handing out FUN METERS and Golden
1.18Attitude pins. His license plate read ATTI2DE, and his business card collection was huge; and
1.19WHEREAS, Don supported many organizations, like Rotary, University of St. Thomas,
1.20University of Minnesota, Hennepin Tech, Manufacturers Alliance, Junior Achievement, STEM,
1.21St. Paul Prayer Breakfast, National Youth Leadership Council, and The Works Museum; and
1.22WHEREAS, Don was honored as a philanthropist and as a generous member of his
1.23community. He was the first recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from Robotics Alley. He
2.1earned the Hill Legacy Award from Century College in 2019, and he and Sandy received the Sal
2.2& Francesca LoBaido Volunteer Service Award in 2004; and
2.3WHEREAS, Don passed away peacefully on December 18, 2020, surrounded by family;
2.4and
2.5NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it
2.6honors the life and career of Don Craighead and recognizes his generosity in his community and
2.7the state of Minnesota.
2.8BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an
2.9enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the
2.10Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to the family of Don
2.11Craighead.

Cal R. LudemanSecretary of the Senate

Paul E. GazelkaChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration

Charles W. WigerState Senator, District 43