Remembering Former President Don Hattery
Honoring a Legacy of Leadership, Partnership & Possibilities
Don Hattery, co-founder and former President and Chairman of Shive-Hattery
Don Hattery, co-founder and former President and Chairman of Shive-Hattery, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2026, at the age of 96, along with his wife of 73 years, Mary Lou, age 94.
Don helped lay the foundation for what Shive-Hattery is today, shaping a culture grounded in curiosity, integrity, and service.
Early Life & Beginnings
Born March 11, 1930, in Mingo, Iowa, Don was the son of Mabell Hiatt Hattery and Lowell Hattery. He graduated from Red Oak High School and earned a Civil Engineering degree from Iowa State College in 1952.
At Iowa State, Don’s leadership and personality stood out, serving as president of Phi Kappa Psi, playing trombone in the band and orchestra, and performing in the “Swinging Door Four” barbershop quartet.
It was also where two defining relationships began. At a sorority event, he was captivated by Mary Lou, “the girl in a brilliant blue knit dress.” Around the same time, through shared car rides to school, he formed a friendship with Jim Shive.
The first Shive-Hattery office at 199 2nd Avenue in Cedar Rapids, and a newspaper article with a photo featuring Don Hattery with drill equipment in 1962
From Weekend Work to Founding a Firm
After marrying in 1952, Don and Mary Lou lived in several cities before settling in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1956, where Don worked for Link-Belt Speeder.
At the time, Shive Engineering was a small, growing firm with more work than people. Don reconnected with Jim Shive and began helping part-time over nights and weekends. He quickly became one of the most dedicated members of the team.
“When anyone asks me how in the world this thing called Shive-Hattery ever got started… it gives me a chance to relive some pretty exciting times in my life.”
That experience led to a defining decision: Don left the security of his full-time job to join father and son, Phil and Jim Shive at Shive Engineering. In 1962, Shive-Hattery was formed.
On the left, Don Hattery, and on the right, Jim Shive at Midland Forge in 1982.
Leadership & Growth
Don’s leadership helped the firm grow from six employees to nearly 200, expanding from civil engineering into a full-service architecture and engineering design firm.
“Major decisions were made by both of us… If we both agreed, it was pretty solid and we proceeded with confidence.”
That collaborative, trust-based leadership continues to shape the firm today.
Following the sudden passing of his friend and business partner Jim Shive in 1985, Don stepped into the role of president and chairman, guiding the firm through a pivotal transition.
A Life of Service
Don believed leadership extended beyond business. His decades of civic involvement helped shape Cedar Rapids and beyond — spanning economic development, education, healthcare, and the arts.
His example established a lasting culture of service that remains central to Shive-Hattery.
Don Hattery and Mary Lou Hattery
Partnership & Life with Mary Lou
At the center of Don’s life was his partnership with Mary Lou. Their 73-year marriage was defined by creativity, community, and a shared sense of adventure.
Together, they embraced life fully, exploring the Mississippi River, hosting family and friends, and contributing deeply to their community.
Their family motto captured it best:
“Eat Dessert First – Life is Short.”
A Perspective That Endures
Don was known for his humor, storytelling, and perspective on life.
Don vividly remembered a small donut bar in the basement cafeteria of the Iowa State Memorial Union. Above its serving window was a sign that read:
“As you ramble on thru life, brother, whate’er may be your goal;
Keep your eye upon the doughnut and not upon the hole.”
It’s a sentiment that he found many applications throughout his life.
Legacy
Today, Shive-Hattery stands as a testament to Don’s vision, from his start with the firm in 1962 to its continued growth as a nationally recognized, full-service architecture and engineering design firm.
More than any accomplishment, Don and Mary Lou’s greatest legacy is the example they set—for their family, their community, and all who knew them.
We carry Don’s legacy forward in the work we do every day, guided by the same spirit of curiosity, leadership, and service that defined his life.
To read the full obituary and learn more about Don and Mary Lou’s lives, please visit Cedar Memorial.
