Don Pritchard
Donald Pritchard, a long-time beekeeper and WHPA member passed away October 25, 2017. Don started raising honey bees with two hives in 1973. It didn’t take long for the beekeeping bug to bite him and within 5 years he was running 100 hives in the Manitowoc area. In 1980, with his wife Bernetta and son Lyndon, he formed Stone Valley Apiaries LLC. At the height of their operation, Stone Valley Apiaries was running 450 hives from Fall River to Green Bay. Over the years, Don truly enjoyed his visits with Lee Heine as they attempted to solve the world’s problems over a pot of coffee or talking with all the customers/beekeepers that came to buy honey at his self-serve store in Fall River. In addition to beekeeping, Don was an accomplished woodworker. He turned large plates and bowls, created bentwood sleighs and chests, and a multitude of other wood items. Don will be sadly missed by his wife Bernetta and 8 children.
