In Memoriam: Don S. Follett, Follett Corp.

Don S. Follett, 96, passed away Oct. 13 in Bethlehem, Penn.

Follett spent decades working for Follett Corp. up until his retirement in 1994. Follett came to join the family business in 1954, following his father, Roy Follett’s sudden passing.

“Don took a leave of absence from his employer, Reliance (Electric), to spend time in Long Island to close his father’s business, The Roy Follett Corp.,” shares Middleby in an announcement. “It was then that he decided to leave Reliance and move to Long Island, becoming the third employee of the company. So began his entrepreneurial career with Follett Corp., moving it to the Lehigh Valley in 1958 to start manufacturing operations. His professional life was completely focused on growing the business into an enduring enterprise, putting his heart and soul into this venture until his retirement.”

Follett also served as NAFEM’s president in 1982, and chaired The NAFEM Show in 1981, when it was first held in Atlanta. “Thirty years after Don was president, NAFEM saw a second Follett take the reins, following Steve’s participation as a committee member, show chair and board member,” recalls NAFEM. “Don and Steve were the third father/son NAFEM presidential team.”

Don is survived by his three children: Jim Follett (wife, Nancy), Steve Follett (wife, Jeanne) and Sue Panella (husband, Mark); seven grandchildren: Kristina Murphy (Patrick), Eric Follett (Ally), Allyson Follett (Chris Burns), Melissa Follett, Andrew Panella (Jenny Wald), Jeff Panella (Kristina) and Leslie Panella (Hayden Peirce); and six great grandchildren: Henrik and Maia Murphy, Ivy and Gus Guglielmo, Brooke Panella and James Follett.

For more information and service details, see the formal obituary here.