Donald Howard Taranto

MADISON, WI / SACRAMENTO, CA. - Donald Howard Taranto, age 93, of Madison, Wisconsin passed away on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Oakwood Village University Woods. He was born on October 29, 1932, in New York City, N.Y., the son of Victor and Ann (Goldstein) Taranto.

Don graduated from the Bronx High School of Science before earning his bachelor's degree in mathematics from the City College of New York, which was followed by a master’s degree from Adelphi University and a doctorate in mathematics from what is now Carnegie Mellon University. He served in the U.S. Army in the mid-1950s. He did computer research for IBM, then became a mathematics professor. He taught for a few years at Carleton College and a year at Williams College. He spent most of his teaching career, from 1969 until his retirement, at Sacramento State University.

Don was united in marriage to Karen (Friedman) Taranto in 1954. Together they built a family and a life devoted to their family alongside their work, outside interests, and beloved friends.  Don was deeply committed to education in his family and work life. He was an active advocate for civil liberties in organizations such as the ACLU. He had an infectious love of life, and a quiet charisma, that enlivened all his circles.

Central to Don’s life from early on was a passion for popular music from the 1930s through 1960s.  He amassed a collection of vinyl records numbering in the thousands and shared his passion with others as the host of the radio program, “Vintage Victrola,” for seven years. Following his retirement, he embraced the stage, performing in community musical theater productions, including Guys & Dolls, where he portrayed Joey Biltmore. At his first granddaughter’s wedding, he unforgettably sang “More I Cannot Wish You” from that show.  In his Madison years, he often joined his daughter and her family at concerts, sometimes humming along with the performers. His love of music, along with his curiosity, intellect, appreciation of people, and enthusiasm for learning, enriched the lives of his family, friends, and colleagues.

Don is survived by his daughter, Mindy (Ken Mericle) Taranto; sons, Richard (Vicki Plaut) Taranto and Ken (Barbara) Taranto; grandsons, David (Mayra Vialette) Mericle, Julius (Alli Tilden) Taranto, Avi Taranto, and Isaac (Nina Valbousquet) Taranto; granddaughters, Laura (Tim Kamps) Mericle, Nora (G.T. Harris) Taranto, and Ella (Jeremy Rubel) Taranto; great-grandchildren, Julian Kamps, Elena Kamps, Harriet Taranto, and Lenny Taranto; and brother, Irwin (Arlene) Taranto. He was preceded in death by his wife, Karen; parents, Victor and Ann; and sister, Brenda Liebman.

Memorials may be made to the Middleton Community Orchestra (middletoncommunityorchestra.org/donate). Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761