David Waite

90, of Sun City, AZ, died on May 14, 2012 in Peoria, AZ. David was born on June 16, 1921, in Ann Arbor, MI, and was the oldest child of Foster C. Waite and Gladys (Guenther) Waite. He grew up in Dexter, MI, and graduated from Michigan State College in 1943 with a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering. While attending Michigan State, David met Ruth Lillian McCrea whom he married on December 31, 1943. Ruth graduated in June of 1943 along with David, having earned a bachelor’s degree in home economics and a credential as a registered nurse from Edward W. Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, MI. Following his graduation from college, David entered the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant in the artillery and trained at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Camp Polk, Louisiana, before being sent overseas in 1944, where he saw combat in eastern France and Germany in the Battle of the Bulge. After World War II, he and Ruth lived for approximately a year in Germany prior to his discharge from the army in July of 1946. At the time of his discharge, David had achieved the rank of captain. After the war, David and Ruth returned to Michigan, where they lived briefly in Ann Arbor, Dexter, Ypsilanti, and Battle Creek as David began his career as a mechanical engineer, first at the Kaiser-Frazer Corporation and later at the Grand Trunk Railroad. In 1951, David entered a management training program with the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad headquartered in Chicago. During his early years with the Rock Island, David, Ruth, and their family moved several times, first to the Chicago area and then south and west along the main line of the railroad. By 1955, however, the couple settled permanently in the south Chicago suburb of Tinley Park, Illinois, where they remained until David retired in 1984. During his years with the Rock Island, David served in a number of management positions and was eventually named as Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer, General Superintendent of Cars, and Manager of Special Projects. In the meantime, Ruth worked as a registered nurse and as a junior high science and health teacher. The couple moved to Sun City in February 1985 where they were active members of the Willowbrook United Methodist Church. In addition to serving as an usher at the church, David also enjoyed golf and travel to visit his children and grandchildren. Ruth predeceased David in 2002. David is survived by his long time friend and companion, June Gibson, of Sun City as well as by a sister, Marilynn M. Waite, of Jackson, MI. He is also survived by his four children: William F. Waite, of Newton, NJ; David E. and Jenny (Lee) Waite of Mililani, HI; Dr. Nancy W. DeTora of Auburn, MA; and John G. Waite of Darien, IL. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Lisa J. DeTora of Worcester, MA; Dr. Michael D. DeTora of Auburn, MA; Dr. Adam W. DeTora of Worcester, MA; Benjamin S. DeTora of Auburn, MA; and Keeley M. S-W. Waite of Mililani, HI. A memorial service will be held in the Chapel at Willowbrook United Methodist Church, 19390 N. 99th Ave. in Sun City at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 18, followed by a short reception. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Willowbrook United Methodist Church or to the Hospice of Arizona.