He wed Evelyn Lorraine Hodgson on April 7, 1946, at the First Christian Church in Salina, Kansas. The couple moved to Kansas City where Dr. Amend completed his baccalaureate degree in economics/ accounting at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Don then entered the UMKC School of Dentistry where he was a member of Psi Omega dental fraternity and served as its president.

Following graduation in 1952, he served a dental internship at the U.S. Public Health Marine Hospital in New Orleans, LA.

In 1953, Dr. Amend returned to Salina to open his private practice. His desire was to serve his patients well and to work toward continuing progress in the dental profession, with a special interest in children’s dentistry.

He helped found and was the second president of the Kansas Chapter of the American Society of Dentistry for Children. He served as the president of the Salina Dental Society, the Golden Belt District Dental Society, the Kansas State Dental Society, the Alumni Association of the UMKC School of Dentistry and was a member of the Board of Trustees and the Board of the Dr. Roy J. Rinehart Foundation of the UMKC School of Dentistry. He was a Fellow in the American College of Dentists and served on the Council of the American Dental Association. He was named Kansas State Dental Association Man of the Year in 1991 and was awarded the distinction of 1999 Alumnus of the Year by the UMKC School of Dentistry and the UMKC Dental Alumni Association for his support and dedication to dentistry. He and his wife were charter members of the Flarsheim Society of UMKC.

He served on the advisory board of the Salina Area Technical School, the staff of the Asbury Regional Medical Center and St. John’s Regional Health Center. He was a member of the Salina Downtown Lions Club for over 50 years and was honored to be named a Melvin Jones Fellow. He was a member of the Salina Chamber of Commerce, served on the board of the local Red Cross and was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. At First Christian Church, he served as an Elder and as Chairman of the Board. As a member of First United Methodist Church, he served as an usher and on the Finance Committee and was an active member of the Peacemakers Class. He was a Scottish and York Rite Mason, a member of the Isis Shrine Temple and Patrol, Red Cross of Constantine and the Royal Order of Jesters. Don and Evelyn also were some of the first donors and sustaining members of the Salina Community Foundation. Through the years, Don and Evelyn enjoyed traveling. For over 35 years, they had an active interest in Best Western Motels. During that time, they took numerous extensive trips with other world-wide owners of Best Western properties. They have visited all 50 states, with numerous trips to Hawaii, and over 100 countries on five continents, making them eligible for the Traveler’s Century Club. Don also enjoyed his golf outings with his close friends.

Dr. Amend is survived by his wife, Evelyn, of the home; daughters, Janet Lynn Fisher and her husband Rick of Salina, Nancy Beth Sanchez of Lawrence; and son, the Reverend Douglas Bryan Amend and his wife Belinda of Girard; his nine grandchildren, Cortney Paul Weeks and wife Vera of Phoenix, AZ, Amanda Beth (Weeks) Brooks and husband Simon of Manhattan, Jason Christopher Sanchez, Nathaniel Thomas Sanchez, Adrienne Elyse Sanchez and Cavan Matthew Sanchez of Lawrence, Amanda Eileen (Shafer) Harrison and husband Cory of Chicago, IL, Derrick Bryan Amend and Sara Beth Amend of Girard; and one sister, Carol Janice (Mrs. Luther) Fowler of Lenexa.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, 2008, at the First United Methodist Church, Salina. Visitation will be from noon until 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Ryan Mortuary where the family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the “Partnership for Life” Masonic Foundation for Cancer Research.