Veller, Don, 1912-

Don Veller was born in Linton, Indiana on May 20, 1912. He was a scholar and an athlete. As a high school student his days were filled with competition. He was president of his sophomore, junior, and senior classes, salutatorian of his senior class, a member of the basketball and baseball teams, and captain of the football and track teams. He received his M.S. (1938) and PhD (1950) from Indiana University. At the outbreak of World War II, Veller acted as a Special Services Officer in the Air Force at several installations along the East coast. He graduated from the Special Services and Information-Education Schools in Lexington, Virginia, and taught a variety of subjects for the military, including Special Services, Education, and Instruction Methods. After the war, and a short stint working for Indiana University as a tennis coach and an assistant football coach to Bo McMillin, Veller came to Florida State University, were he served for four years as its first full-time head football coach. During that time, FSU had its first undefeated season and first bowl victory. After his pigskin days at FSU came to an end, he remained at the university to coach golf until his retirement in 1982. Don Veller died at his home in Tallahassee, Florida, November 10, 2006, just days after the death of Fran, his beloved wife of 70 years.