W. Donald McTaggart, 87, passed away on May 8, 2021. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and completed a degree in geography at the University of St Andrews, Scotland, and a PhD at the Australian National University in Canberra.



He first lectured at the University of Malaya, and then in 1971 at ASU where he also served for a time as the head of the Department of Geography and later directed an international student program. After retiring from ASU in 1998, he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and taught geography and GIS part-time at the University of New Mexico and for tribal education programs. His wide-ranging knowledge of geography, as well as of geology, economics, politics, and current events, informed his teaching and research and was a tremendous benefit to his students and colleagues.



Don excelled at cycling, soccer, and badminton. His addiction to cycling started at about age eight when his family toured the Scottish highlands by bicycle. He was the proud owner of a red Bike Friday which served as his main transportation for years. He was passionate about encouraging cycling and volunteered for many years as a cycling advocate for the city of Tempe, Arizona.



Don also loved music, having played the violin as a boy and later taking up the clarinet. He enjoyed chamber music and opera and was a regular participant in the rich musical concert life of Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Additionally he was a long-time member of the Unitarian Universalist church in Albuquerque and Taos.

Don is survived by his wife Donna Collins, as well as by his five children from his first marriage and by nine grandchildren. (Source: Lesley McTaggart, daughter)