Remembering David L. Ferguson
It's with heavy hearts that we share the news that David Ferguson, friend of the School of Music and son of Professor Donald Ferguson, passed away on September 18, 2018.
U of M School of Music Director Michael Kim shares, "We were deeply saddened to hear of Dave Ferguson's passing. A deeply generous and kind friend to the School of Music, Dave leaves a profound legacy that touched and influenced the lives of so many School of Music students. We are eternally grateful to him and the Ferguson family for all that they have done to further the cause of music within the University and Twin Cities communities."
From his obituary: "David L. Ferguson, Sr., 95, died Tuesday September 18, 2018, at his home in Chicago with his family in attendance. Born in 1922 in Minneapolis, MN, to Donald and Arline, Dave graduated from the University of Minnesota. He served honorably in the US Army during WWII. He worked in marketing research for IDS as an executive vice president. His avocation was always the cello, and he played with the Minneapolis Civic Orchestra until retirement and then spent winters in Florida, where he played with the Florida West Coast Symphony for 25 years. He was active in supporting his church, in volunteerism, and as a sailor. A lasting legacy was the establishment of educational scholarships for the School of Music at the University of Minnesota. Dave is survived by his daughter Julie (Mike Decker) and his sons David (Susan) and Mark (Phyllis Young) as well as four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Shirley and their son Scott. Donations may be directed to the Ferguson Family Scholarship in care of: Colleen Donahue Office of Institutional Advancement, College of Liberal Arts University of Minnesota 220J Johnston Hall, 101 Pleasant St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612) 626-5141."
Photo: David and Shirley Ferguson in Ferguson Hall standing beside the Ferguson family piano, donated by the family to the U of M School of Music. Photo by Greg Helgeson.
