David S. Ream (1935-2020)
REAM, GALLUP
Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 12/6/2020 at 08:46:52
David Sumner Ream, 85, died November 24, 2020, from COVID-19 complications at Prairie Ridge in Galena, IL. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions a private family graveside service will be held in Prospect Hill Cemetery, rural, Galena. The Furlong Funeral Chapel, Galena is assisting the family.
David was born in Evanston, IL and was raised in the neighboring town of Winnetka by his parents, Arline Gallup Ream and Robert S. Ream. David’s ties to Galena go deep. He spent many of his summers and weekends at an ancestral property on Irish Hollow Road that had been in his mother’s family since the 1800s. It is the place where he returned, with his adored second wife, Cari, to spend the final two decades of his life.
A graduate of Winnetka’s New Trier High School – where he played baseball, basketball, and football – David received his Bachelor of Arts (History) from Carleton College, and a Master of Education from Northeastern Illinois University. After taking a post-college job teaching at Washington Junior High in Naperville, IL – where he met his first wife and lifelong friend, Melva Taylor – David joined the History Department at West Chicago High School, where he taught history and political science until his retirement. As passionate about sport as he was about teaching, David coached baseball, basketball, and football at the school. He was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan who also rooted for the Northwestern University Wildcats. David was most fully himself in the natural world: gardening, hiking, canoeing, playing outdoor sports of all kinds. Fishing was his true passion. He picked up his first fishing pole at the age of three and spent a lifetime seeking out North America’s best fishing spots. David was that rare fly fisherman and deep-sea fishing enthusiast who was equally excited when heading to smaller watering holes, including the back spring on his Galena property, which served as home-base for his many outdoor passions, including a firewood business that many family and friends counted on in wintertime. And yes, he did all the wood chopping.
David is survived by his devoted wife, Cari Ream, daughter, Anne K. Ream, son, Robert K. Ream, daughter-in law, Patricia Fernandez Ream, daughter, Kary Ream, son-in-law, Tony Wittrock, and three grandchildren, Jules, Arline and Cami. An extended family that includes nieces, nephews and current and former in-laws, and a lifetime’s worth of friends, also mourn him.
Donations in David’s honor can be sent to: The Voices and Faces Project 47 West Polk Street #170, Chicago, IL, 60605 or voicesandfaces.org
Online condolences may be left at www.furlongfuneralchapel.com
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