Yesterday (9/19/22), I received news that Arctic Cat legend (and friend), Donn Eide, had passed away, and that makes me and many others who knew and worked with Donn, pretty sad today. My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to Donn’s family. He was one of the greats and will be dearly missed. I’m thankful our paths crossed in life as he was someone I truly admired and respected. -Kale
Most recently, I had a nice conversation with Donn at the Arctic Cat 60th Homecoming event. As we were looking over an arena floor full of incredible Arctic Cat snowmobiles, I asked Donn the fictitious question, “If you could go home with just one snowmobile in this arena today Donn, what would it be?” He pondered a bit, then turned around and pointed behind us, “Probably the Boss Cat. Those always captured my imagination.” Shortly after this photo, Donn and I parted ways as he wanted to see his longtime friend, Jim Dimmerman, pictured here in the background behind Donn.Here’s a great photo of Donn and Jim Dimmerman. I’m nearly certain they had a long conversation about the restored Elsner sled that Donn is sitting on. The engine knowledge shared between these two is staggering. Jim has remarked to me in the past, “There are very few people in this world who truly understand 2-stroke engine development. Donn is one of them.”
This photo of Donn was taken by John Sandberg at the Media introduction of the all-new 600 CTEC2 engine hosted at the St. Cloud, MN engine facility. At the time, Donn was the Snowmobile Engine Design Manager at Arctic Cat. This was an engine Donn was proud of, and proud of the team that worked on it…and for good reason. To date, Id consider this one of Arctic Cat’s best engines in terms of performance and reliability. Some of the same architecture of this engine will be found on the 600 engine released in the all-new CATALYST platform for 2024. (READ THE ORIGINAL 600 CTEC2 STORY THAT ACCOMPANIED THIS PHOTO HERE)Donn started with Arctic Cat in 1969 and retired in 2018. Above is a poster everyone could sign who attended a retirement party hosted in Thief River Falls at the Factory. (FOR MORE PHOTOS OF DONN AND OTHERS WHO RETIRED THAT DAY READ THE ORIGINAL STORY HERE)Here’s Donn pictured between his 1965 120 D and 2015 XF 6000. To see what he had to say about the 50yr evolution between the models, READ THE STORY HEREIn 2010, John Sandberg shared a great interview between he and Donn which gives you some excellent background information on Donn and his career at Arctic Cat. Ive always been fond of Donn’s involvement with the introduction of the Yellowstone Special 4-stroke Arctic Cat snowmobile into the Yellowstone National Park. You can READ THAT INTERVIEW HERE.
Donn is featured a few times in the Arctic Cat 50th Anniversary video. If you have 1.5hrs of free time, every Arctic Cat fan should watch this video. If you don’t have that much time, fast forward to the 1:12 mark to watch the segment on 4-strokes and Donn’s involvement with introducing them to the Yellowstone National Park.Much like meeting Donn at the Arctic Cat 60th, our paths would cross at various snowmobile events after Donn’s retirement from Arctic Cat. I was walking the swap section of the Midwest Ride-In two years ago in Elk River, MN, and I heard a familiar voice behind me. It was Donn, and he was talking to a swapper about the vintage Arctic Cat clothing he was selling. Donn casually remarked to the gentleman, “I have a whole closet full of this stuff Id like to sell.” I stood back and eaves-dropped on the conversation. The swapper immediately said, “What do you have? Ill buy it.” The man’s quick interest, seemed to lose Donn’s, and that’s when Donn glanced my way, and instantly lit up with a smile after seeing me standing there. I often reflect on that day and wonder if the swapper had any idea who he was talking to? This memory will forever be etched in my mind as Donn was always happy to see you, always pleasant and always interested in talking snowmobiles. Here’s another photo of Donn from the 2021 Hay Days event. Donn waited for me to finish up some conversations with ArcticInsider fans before grabbing me to say Hi. That humble approach explained Donn in a nutshell and I was truly honored that’s how a legend (someone I admired) treated me.Because of our working relationship and personal interests, Donn and my conversations typically hovered around snowmobiles but I do know he was quite proud and happy to be spending his free time enjoying his family, including his daughter, Trisha, pictured here.
DONN’S OBITUARY
Donn Craig Eide, 71, beloved Father and Grandfather of Bemidji, Minnesota passed away with his family by his side on Monday, September 19, 2022, at Gulf Coast Medical Center, Fort Myers, Florida.
Donn was born on November 10, 1950, in Warren, Minnesota, the son of Wilbert and Esther (Brodahl) Eide. He grew up in Oslo, Minnesota where he was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church. He graduated from Oslo High School in 1968. He entered the Air National Guard in 1970 and was honorably discharged in 1976. In 1969, his passion for snowmobiles started his 49-year career at Arctic Cat, Inc in Thief River Falls, MN. After retirement, Donn became a Snowbird residing in Crystal Lakes retirement community in Fort Myers, Florida while spending the summer months at his lake home in Bemidji, MN.
Donn’s greatest joy was his family and believed they were his true wealth in life. He enjoyed traveling, taking his grandkids to the beach, hunting, and deep sea fishing. He loved to tinker with projects including lawn work, fixing engines, and helping his kids with their home projects. He loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, traveling with his family, hosting his traditional Fourth of July celebration and he was a true Minnesota sports fan.
He is survived by his sons, Christopher (Luanne) Eide of Donna, TX and Darren (Chrissy) Eide of Wyoming, MN and daughter, Trisha (Steve Jung) Finney of Anoka, MN; siblings, Ron Eide of McAllen, TX, and Colleen (Doug) Anderson of Oslo, MN; grandchildren, Emma and Cora Rehnberg, Ivana Rouland and Ian Finney; several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews; his four-legged hunting companion, Bristol Belle; and the mother of his children, Diane (Ed) Kaiser.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Terry Eide; sister-in-law, Opal Eide; nephew, James Troy; and great nephew, Wyatt Feltman.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
Saturday, October 08, 2022, 11AM – NOON
Redeemer Lutheran Church 1300 Nora Street East Thief River Falls, Minnesota 56701
Donn was not only a creative and vastly experienced 2-stroke engine designer, he was also the nicest gentleman you would ever want to meet. It was my privilege to work with Donn on several projects during the latter part of his distinguished career. Rest In Peace, Donn.
Donn was my high school classmate from Oslo MN high school class of 1968. I also live in Bemidji MN but didn’t get to meet often enough. I purchased a 2014 6000 El Tigre and asked him if it would be a good engine to have before I ordered it. He sent me an email about how it was developed and how they tested it for 250000 miles before it was approved. May he Rest In Peace and condolences to his family.
Thanks for the article Kale. Donn was a great friend. Kind, thoughtful, humble, polite, and a great man. I was lucky enough to become good friends with Donn and his family. We are heartbroken and will miss him everyday.
Kale, let’s talk about getting Donn in the Hall sometime when we are done morning this great man. He certainly deserves consideration for all his contributions over 50 years.
R.I.P Mr. Eide. Thank you for providing the power to MANY fantastic Arctic Cat memories! I just love my 600 CTEC 2!
God Bless Donn. He blessed us with his passion.
yes, Thank you sir.
Sad day. Thoughts going out to family.
Very sad day. Thx for the piece Kale. A very special man and an icon/legend for what he brought to the industry.
Arctic cat had many GREAT heros. Thank you DON
RIP to one of the Cat team who truly “got it”.
For someone to have that depth of knowledge yet be so humble says a lot about his character. RIP Donn.
Donn was not only a creative and vastly experienced 2-stroke engine designer, he was also the nicest gentleman you would ever want to meet. It was my privilege to work with Donn on several projects during the latter part of his distinguished career. Rest In Peace, Donn.
SO sad he was a great guy and engineer had the pleasure of working with during the winter months at Arctic Cat RIP
Donn was my high school classmate from Oslo MN high school class of 1968. I also live in Bemidji MN but didn’t get to meet often enough. I purchased a 2014 6000 El Tigre and asked him if it would be a good engine to have before I ordered it. He sent me an email about how it was developed and how they tested it for 250000 miles before it was approved. May he Rest In Peace and condolences to his family.
Thanks for the article Kale. Donn was a great friend. Kind, thoughtful, humble, polite, and a great man. I was lucky enough to become good friends with Donn and his family. We are heartbroken and will miss him everyday.
Kale, let’s talk about getting Donn in the Hall sometime when we are done morning this great man. He certainly deserves consideration for all his contributions over 50 years.
Amazing tribute and some very kind comments. Thanks Gentlemen!