Donald Patterson Reynolds was born in Plattsburgh, New York, in 1929 to Thomas and Mary (Patterson) Reynolds. He grew up in Willsboro and Ossining, NY.

After his Navy service, he went to college on the G.I. Bill. He earned a bachelor’s in electrical engineering (1953) from Cornell University, a J.D. from Cornell Law School (1955), and a master’s of electrical engineering degree from Syracuse University (1964). Don taught electrical engineering for four years at University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He then moved to the Chicago area and became a patent attorney and educator.

Starting in 1971, he worked at Argonne National Laboratory, Motorola, Square D, Welsh & Katz, Jones Day, and McAndrews, Held & Malloy. From 1993-1998, he directed the Center for Intellectual Property Law at John Marshall Law School. He also taught international patent law at University of Chicago as an adjunct professor, and he taught yearly review courses in Singapore from 1990-1997 as a Patent Law Association of Chicago instructor.

In retirement, Don piloted planes, dived coral reefs, studied the classics, and traveled the world. Residing since 2010 at Montgomery Place Senior Community, he enjoyed an active life there and made treasured friends.

He was married to Elaine Hinsey Reynolds, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his children, Robert Reynolds (Mary Ann Rowe) and Janet Reynolds Thomas; brother, Richard Reynolds (Patricia); grandchildren, Julie Reynolds (Michael Schmitz) and Mike Reynolds (Laura Brudzynski); great-grandchildren, Ari Reynolds Schmitz, Lina Reynolds Schmitz, and Jackson Rowe Reynolds; and his daughter-in-law's family members, Joyce May, Judy Henry, James Henry, and Nick Henry.