Don LaRance Rondeau

Don LaRance Rondeau, age 58, of Frederick, MD passed away peacefully on May 10, 2024. He was a beloved son, father, friend, veteran, mentor, protector, and a faithful Christian who will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate to know him.

Don was born on June 11, 1965, in Detroit, MI, where he spent his early childhood before moving to Rockville, MD. After high school, Don joined the U.S. Coast Guard becoming an assistant company commander early on. Later, Don built a successful career as a talented security professional with a large portion devoted to critical infrastructure protection. He received many honors and mentions for his work serving and protecting the Nation. Then Secretary of DHS, Tom Ridge, cited Don’s "commitment to protecting America" and stated that he played a "critical role in mitigating and preventing terrorist attacks by enhancing coordination between the public and private sector”. He was named the Homeland Security Executive of the Year (2004-2005) by the International Association of Counterterrorism for Security Professionals. Don was often interviewed on CNN, CBS, and local affiliates for his expertise.

Don’s training and education covered many disciplines including business, counterterrorism, anti-terrorism, emergency management, and legal investigations from Tulane University MBA Certificate Program, The United Nations Institute of Training and Research, Harvard School of Public Health, The National Preparedness Institute at St. Petersburg College, the USDA Graduate School, FEMA Emergency Management Institute, and the FBI Citizens Academy. 

Throughout his career, Don was known for his innovative thinking, leadership, dedication and passion for helping others. It was his passion for helping others that propelled him to get involved in the missing children’s efforts. One of Don’s proudest accomplishments was leading the fight to pass legislation in Maryland (Phylicia’s Law –2012) aimed at finding missing kids faster.

But more than anything, Don was a devoted father. Everyone knew his children were his everything. He loved helping them with their chosen sport, often coaching and advocating; he was an avid outdoorsman and taught his children many outdoors skills; he was a fierce protector of his family and was always working to offer guidance, support, and encouragement, no matter what challenges they faced.

Don is survived by his parents, Dan J. and Sarah (Wyatt) Rondeau of Rockville, MD and his children, Taylor Bagnall (36) of Ashburn, VA; and Olivia (23), Jacqueline (21) and Donovan (17) Rondeau of Gaithersburg, MD. He is preceded in death by his younger brother, Damon Lamarr Rondeau.

The family will be hosting visitation with a viewing on Monday, May 20, 2024 at Snowden Funeral Home, 246 N. Washington St., Rockville, MD from 10:30am to 12:30pm. Immediately after, a private burial will be held for family and close friends at Parklawn Cemetary, also in Rockville, MD. A Celebration of Life will be held later. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Black & Missing Foundation www.blackandmissinginc.com or Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation www.mmrf.org 

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