One of San Diego's most renowned philanthropists Donald Shiley died on Saturday at the age of 90.
Shiley, an engineer is known throughout the medical world for inventing the Bjork-Shiley heart valve in 1971, which is estimated to have saved a half-million lives across the world, said a statement released on Sunday.
Donald and his wife Darlene leave a legacy of philanthropy, their generosity led to the Shiley Eye Center, the Shiley School of Engineering at the University of Portland, the Donald P. Shiley Center for Science and Technology at USD and the Shiley Marcos Alzheimer’s Research Center at UCSD. Other beneficiaries include Scripps Clinic, The Old Globe Theater, KPBS, the Alzheimer’s Association and many more.
Donald leaves behind his wife Darlene, four children and five grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Shiley Eye Center.
