David H. Bird ’56 died on October 12, 2015, in Crystal Lake, Illinois.

(The following appeared online at knox.villagesoup.com, October 14, 2015):

CRYSTAL LAKE, ILL. — David H Bird, 82, passed away Oct. 12, 2015, at Valley Hi Nursing Home after battling a long illness as the result of a stroke.

He is survived by his wife, Sally; his two daughters, Jennifer Bird of Los Angeles and Stephanie (Alan) Williams of Arlington Heights, Ill.; as well as three grandchildren, Quinn, Owen and Greer Williams, also of Arlington Heights. He is additionally survived by his brother, John (Mary-Alice) Bird, of Rockland; and sister, Carolyn Murray, of Portland. And let’s not forget his dog, Murphy, who slept faithfully by his side for several years.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Frederic and Dorothy Bird, and his brother-in-law, Stephen Murray.

David was born in Winchester, Mass., grew up in Rockland and retained the accent to prove it. He attended Bowdoin College before moving to Chicago, where he met Sally and became an art needlework salesman for Coats & Clark, Leisure Arts and others. In 1984, he started GNT Limousine Service in Crystal Lake, Ill., which he and Sally ran for several years before selling it to enjoy retirement.

David was an avid skier and served as president of the Chicago Ski Council and Ski Patrol at Wilmont, where he taught his daughters to ski. He volunteered with the Lions Club, where he could often be found shilling candy, and for the Salvation Army,, ringing the bells for donations every Christmas. He loved sports and cheered on Chicago teams, though his first love was always the Red Sox.

But David’s true passion was golf, and most weekends found him on the links or serving as a ranger at local courses and PGA tournaments. On his 60th birthday, he played 60 holes and proudly walked 51 of them.

David felt now was a good time to go, as he couldn’t bear to see another Clinton in office!