David E Proud

David Eugene Proud, age 94, died on January 28, 2017. Born on September 18, 1922 in Chicago, he was the third son of Richard and Gladys Proud. Physically active, intellectually curious, articulate, witty, and civic-minded, Dave Proud touched the lives of many people in his family, church, and community. He graduated from Morton High School (Cicero, Ill.) in 1940 and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943, serving as a B-24 radio operator and bombardier in the 15th Air Corps in Italy. His plane was shot down and he was interned as a P.O.W. until 1945. After the war Dave earned his B.A. and M.A. degrees at Western Michigan University through the G.I. Bill. In 1947 Dave married Ann Lung in Kalamazoo, Mich., and the couple moved to Grand Rapids in 1950. Dave taught history at East Grand Rapids High School and later worked as a textbook editor at the Fideler Co. In 1961 the family moved to Lisle, Illinois, in suburban Chicago. Dave was an editor at Scott, Foresman and Co., director of educational services at Britannica Films, and director of continuing education for the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. He retired in 1986 and moved to Mt. Morris, Illinois in 1992. Dave threw himself into volunteer and leadership roles in church, Boy Scouts, Lions clubs, and senior centers. In his years in Lisle he served on the Heritage Society, Youth Association, Park District, School Board, Community Chest, Friends of the Lisle Library, Lisle Planning Commission, and he was chairman of the Lisle Sesquicentennial Committee (1982). Dave was known as someone who could be counted on to get things done. He was once described as adding "more to the community than 30 or 40 other people." In 1986 Dave was honored as Lisle Park District Senior Citizen of the Year and as V.I.P. Man of the Year by the Lisle Heritage Society. He continued his volunteer activities into his late 80s. A lifelong avid reader, he loved books, history, softball, music, and travel. He sang with the Chicago Welsh Choir at age 17 and toured with the North American Welsh Choir at age 79. At age 60 he acquired a flying license, in defiance of his wartime experience being shot out of the sky. He also hunted and fished, and was never happier than when he drove a tractor, helping his brother-in-law F. N. Lung during harvest time. David Proud was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Proud and Gladys (Erler) Proud, and his siblings Richard, Philip, and Eleanor (Vastrick). He is survived by his wife Ann, son Danny Proud (Robin), Madison, Wis.; daughters Kathryn Reynolds, Mt. Morris, Ill., Cynthia McDonald (John), Broken Arrow, Okla., and Margaret (Peggy) Proud-Edwards (Tim Edwards), Aurora, Ill.; and by 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 200 South 5th Street, Oregon, Illinois on February 4, 2017 at 12:00 P.M., with Rev. Karen Gerhard-Conner officiating and Rev. Eric Heinekamp assisting with the service. Visitation will be held 11 a.m. on February 4th prior to the service in the church. Burial will be a private burial in Silver Creek Cemetery, Mt. Morris, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Mt. Morris Library are suggested by the family.