Donald A. Bird; English Professor, Linguist

Donald A. Bird, 75, a linguist and professor emeritus of English at Cal State L.A. He was one of the first teachers to receive an Outstanding Professor Award from the university. Bird, who was also dean of graduate studies, served on the state’s Curriculum Commission and the Advisory Board of American Speech. Among his writings was the college textbook “Patterns of Thinking and Writing.” In Los Angeles on Nov. 16 of a heart attack.