Don Samuelson was educated at Grays Harbor College (AS, Marine Biology 1962); Pacific Lutheran University (BS, Chemistry and Biology, 1965); Oregon State University (MS General Science, 1971); and the Evergreen State College (MES Environmental Studies, 1998).

Samuelson began his professional career as Navy radiation health officer aboard the submarine tender USS Sperry AS-12, San Diego, CA, from 1967-70. After earning his master's degree in 1971, he served as an analytical chemist and fish culturist for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, OR, working in salmonid toxicology (1971-74). Samuelson then served as a coastal marine field agent for the Washington Sea Grant Program (University of Washington) based at Grays Harbor College (1974-78). From 1978-2004 he directed and instructed the fisheries and wildlife program at Grays Harbor College. Samuelson retired from the Naval Reserve (rank of Captain in the Medical Service Corps) with over 30 years of service (June 1996). He has been a commercial salmon and charter boat fisherman for over 40 years. He currently holds a U.S. Coast Guard masters license (certified to operate 100-ton vessels out to 100 miles offshore).

Samuelson has been certified as a Professional Fisheries Scientist by the American Fisheries Society (AFS) since 1974. He is an active member of AFS, the Pacific Fisheries Biologists Association, and the American Institute of Fisheries Research Biologists.

The GHC Board of Trustees named the Model Watershed in Samuelson's honor in May, 2004.