David D. Blum
October 02, 2011
Dave Blum, 57, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Sunday, October 2, 2011 at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 5, 2011 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. Funeral services will be at West Des Moines United Methodist Church, 720 Grand Ave. in West Des Moines on Thursday, October 6 at 10 a.m.
Dave was born at the Naval Hospital at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California on November 25, 1953 to Donald and Jeanne Blum. When he was six weeks old the family came home to Rockford, Iowa where his parents farmed until 1962. By this time he had three younger brothers . . . Steven, Robert, and James. David attended elementary schools at Aplington and Greene until the family settled in Nashua in 1965, where he grew up and graduated from Nashua High School in 1972. He was an active Bulldog participating in numerous sports and school activities, along with governing over his brothers when he could… If Dave had a rough day, all the brothers had a rough day.
Dave attended Iowa State University and graduated in 1976 with a double major in Psychology and Zoology, and later a Master of Science in Education. Dave was on the All University Championship Intramural Co-Ed inner tube water polo team. The championship was due in great part to Dave's sneaky defensive tactics on the other team's best player. While attending college he worked a couple of summers at the White Farm Equipment Co. in Charles City, on third shift in the foundry shoveling sand from under the conveyor. Coming home covered in black soot enhanced Dave’s love of education. He also worked one year at The Hen House while attending school. He didn't have a car, so he rode his bike and ate quite a bit of chicken. He even got to take leftovers home but eventually didn't feel well and later found out he was allergic to poultry. Sometimes you just can't win!
He married his high school sweetheart Dawn Tracy in 1977 and they were blessed with two children, Andrew and Amy. He taught them the finer things in life… searching for night crawlers with a flashlight, discussing the exciting tales of the stars in the sky and providing tips on hitting line drives. Dave loved to play cards, especially 500, with his family and frustrated plenty of sisters-in-law with his calm competitive edge.
Dave realized his teaching dreams with positions in the Fort Dodge and West Des Moines school systems as a teacher, coach, and administrator. His first job was as a Junior High Science teacher where he once had a tarantula in his classroom. The tarantula went through the molting process and lost its skin, which is normal, but they never saw the spider again! When he became an administrator, he didn’t lose sight of his dream. He took whatever opportunities he could to be with students. Whether it was going on overnight field trips, showing brain teasers at the Math Bowl or lying on his back inside Star Lab teaching 6th graders about constellations, he treasured teachable moments. He enjoyed being “out there in the trenches” with his teachers, working with them in various curriculum meetings and celebrating their successes, in the classroom and outside of school.
Dave continued his passion for education by returning to the classroom as an adjunct instructor for Upper Iowa and Drake. Teaching adults was a two-way street for him – he shared his insights and experiences and they shared their enthusiasm and fresh ideas. He also participated in many educational organizations and was very active in the Iowa Council of Math Teachers, providing support and guidance, as well as serving on the Executive Board. He retired in July 2011 as Director of Curriculum for Math and Science for the West Des Moines Community Schools.
Dave enjoyed fishing and hunting throughout the Midwest, was an avid reader and cheered on his Iowa State Cyclones and St. Louis Cardinals. Although there were many proud moments during his lifetime, including marrying his high school sweetie, raising his children and watching them achieve their milestones, one of Dave’s proudest accomplishments was donating enough blood to fill 379.6 beakers.
Dave will be greatly missed by his wife of 34 years, Dawn; his parents, Donald and Jeanne Blum; his children, Andrew (Michelle) Blum, and Amy (Todd) White; granddaughter, Mackenzie Marie Blum; and siblings, Steven (Laura) Blum, Robert (Maria) Blum, James (Nancy) Blum, 13 nieces and nephews and three active grand nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the West Des Moines Community School Foundation in memory of Dave Blum for the Valley High School Science Department, 3550 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50265-5556. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Candy McMains
10/04/2011
It is with a heavy heart that I send this message. I am a teacher at Hillside in West Des Moines. Dave was one of the most respected administrators in our district. I never heard a negative comment made about Dave. I respected his knowledge and his delivery of his message. It was always a fun meeting with Dave. His easy going style made working with him a delight. He will be missed but not forgotten. My condolences to his family.
Jeannette Thompson
10/04/2011
Amy and family, my deepest sympathy goes out to all of you in your time of need. While I never had the pleasure of meeting your Dad, I know he had to be a great man to have created such a beautiful, warm, caring and loving daughter. A love one never leaves you for they are forever present in your heart and in everything you do and the wonderful young women you have become. May you and your family find comfort in knowing he is sleeping with the Angles. God bless and know I am here for you always to give a warm smile, a loving hug and lots of prayers.
Michele Demro Silberstein
10/04/2011
I was so sad to hear about David, there are so many wonderful memories of Dave growing up in Nashua, prayers and condolences to Don, Jeanne, Dawn and the entire Blum Family. God Bless.
Dave Jensen
10/04/2011
I'm so sorry to hear of Dave's passing. May you find comfort in God's blessings. Dave was a great individual. I feel honored to have known him such a short time while going to school in Nashua. Prayers to all the Blum family. Take Care and God Bless.
Dave Jensen
Peggy DRake
10/04/2011
Dear Dawn and All, I was so sorry to read of Dave's passing. May God be near you and comfort you all at this difficult time. In the Lords love, Peggy Drake Burkina Faso, West Africa
Tim Averill
10/04/2011
Dear Blum family,
I would like you to know that Dave was my 7th grade IPS teacher at what was then North Junior High in Fort Dodge. I always loved going to his classes as he made learning about science fun. I graduated in 1983 and to be honest I lost touch with many teachers that shaped my life except those that I would occasionally see here in Fort Dodge. About 3 or 4 days ago I was actually thinking about Dave and only Dave for some reason. I cannot tell you why or what it was that made me think of him but I do recall very good memories of Dave at that time, smiling as I vividly remember a funny thing that happened in one of his classes. Earlier this summer, on Fathers Day, my wife and I lost our 18 year old daughter in a tragic car accident. All I would like to believe is that my daughter Emily somehow had something to do with me thinking of Dave. Sometimes we don't realize at the time what kind of impact people had in our lives as we are going through our formative years but if it helps just know that your husband, father and friend played a pivotal role in my life and I will never forget him. Please take care and allow time to grieve.
Brooke Fischels
10/03/2011
My deepest sympathies go out to Dave's family. Dave and I worked together for several years on the board of the Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics. He was a treasure. Organized, articulate, well-respected, and always personable. I marveled at his keen abilities to flawlessly manage a hundred things at once. Dave was always a class act, and truly, unforgettable. May he always be remembered as a champion of students and of hard working educators. Go in peace, dear friend.
Mary Turner Reed
10/03/2011
I am so sorry to hear about Dave and will keep you and your family in my prayers. I will alwasy remember the good times we had so many years ago growing up in Nashua. Dave will be missed by us all.
Nancy Moorhead
10/03/2011
Dave was such a dear friend and valued colleague. He was a kind and caring soul that I had the opportunity to bond with on so many occasions over the years. I will miss him at our special math meeting each spring and in all we do in WDM. May he rest in peace.
Maureen Busta
10/03/2011
I am so sorry to hear about Dave. I had the pleasure of working with him in the Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics. He was the lead person who was responsible for facilitating our Annual Conference with the West Des Moines Schools. I have never known anyone who was so kind and patient with all. There were many technical issues that would come up during the conference and he never complained. I will miss working with him.
Teresa Finken
10/03/2011
So many tragedies emanate from such an early demise. Please accept my condolences on the untimely loss of your charming and sparkly-eyed family elder. While I did not know Dave well, I know he worked hard on ICTM conferences, because he was always there, quietly helping out where his expertise or attention was needed. Our paths overlapped on the ICTM Board only a year, enough to see what an integral member he had grown to be. Great listener, rational and thoughtful, and someone who would speak up firmly but calmly when a situation needed a leading voice. His loss must be great and difficult for many to bear.