Obituary of David D. Long

 Dr. David Desmond Long passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at the age of 81, in Venice, Florida. He was born on the day Pearl Harbor was attacked – December 7, 1941 to Fleming Desmond “Des” and Mary Louise (Bowker) Long in Oak Park, Illinois. Due to the chaos of Pearl Harbor, Mary Louise laid on a gurney in the hospital hallway and wasn’t told if she had a boy or girl for several hours. He was joined in later years by 3 sisters. The family moved to Monmouth, Illinois when David was 4 years old. He spent his youth developing his strong work ethic, raising cattle and managing his own Christmas tree farm. He graduated from Monmouth High School in 1959 and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Drake University (Des Moines, Iowa) in 1961. He finished his education graduating Summa Cum Laude with the degree Doctor of Dental Medicine from Washington University Dental School (St. Louis, MO) in 1965.David married his high school sweetheart, Linda (Larson) in 1959 and they had 3 sons. He opened a private dental practice in Galesburg, Illinois in the fall of 1965 but was soon drafted in a “Special Doctor’s Draft” in 1966. He served two years as a Captain in the United States Army Dental Corps, stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. David returned to his dental practice in Galesburg after fulfilling his military obligation. Following 20 years of dentistry, he decided on a career change and moved into higher education administration. David returned to his childhood town of Monmouth and joined Monmouth College in 1985 as Director of Alumni and College Relations. In 1986, he was named Dean of Admissions at Monmouth and held this title until 1992 when he accepted the position of University Dean of Admissions at Northwood University in Midland, Michigan. He held numerous positions over 18 years at North-wood, including Chancellor for 4 years. Shortly after retiring in 2010, he and Linda moved to Venice, Florida, where he spent the past 12 years enjoying his beachfront home overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. David was an avid reader with varied literary interest, most recently in Biblical studies, where he found a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. Among his many other interests, He loved to find a “good” car deal and, for most of his life, had a trusted canine by his side. Those who knew him well recognized his sharp wit. David was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Nancy Schroeder and son Dyke Desmond Long. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Linda; sons Tad (Michelle) of Granby, CO and Robb (Chris) of Carmel, Indiana. He was also a much loved “Papa” by grandson Garrett (Breana) of Dallas, Texas, and granddaughters Abby and Sara Long both of Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is also survived by two sisters, Sue (Charles) Scott of Pikeville, Tennessee and Barbara Long (Jeffery Hein) of Kerens, Texas and a number of nieces and nephews. David will return to Midland, Michigan for internment alongside his son Dyke. The visitation will be at Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home in Midland on November 9 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. A memorial service will immediately follow the visitation at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in David’s name to: The Memorial Scholarship Fund at Monmouth College, Monmouth IL or The Northwood University Independence Scholarship Fund, Midland MI.