“The Dayton Theatre Guild joins the Dayton arts community in mourning the loss of Don Bigler, one of our city’s great patrons of the arts,” noted the Guild in a Facebook post. “Don was a strong supporter of The Guild, who put in countless volunteer hours and was instrumental in building the infrastructure of our home, the Caryl D. Philips TheatreScape. We at the Guild send our love, sympathy and condolences to his wife Lois, also a great supporter of the Dayton arts, his family, and his friends.”
He also supported such arts organizations as Beavercreek Community Theatre, Dayton Live, Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, Dayton Playhouse, Human Race Theatre Company, Sinclair Community College and The Neon.
Credit: WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY
Credit: WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY
“The Dayton arts community mourns the loss of Don Bigler,” said Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame member Terry Stump, longtime Sinclair scenic designer and technical director, in a Facebook post. “Along with his lovely wife Lois, they were our city’s most staunch supporters of the arts. You would see them at all the shows and art gatherings. I did enjoy my long conversations with Don in the lobby at shows which were sometimes cut short when Lois came by to tell him they were leaving. He was always happy and had a story about every subject. We send our love and condolences to Lois, his family, and his friends.”
Bigler was also passionate about Wright State University. In addition to attending countless shows for more than 35 years, he supported the annual ArtsGala fundraisers and served on the planning committee. He and Lois notably received the 2024 Honorary Alumni Award.
An avid fan of antique cars, he was also involved in the annual Dayton Concours d’Elegance event and volunteered at America’s Packard Museum.
Memorial services are slated to be held at a later date. Those wishing to make a contribution can do so to the charity of their choice.
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