David Waterman
Dec 22, 1951- Dec 9, 2020
The Missouri District staff is sad to learn of the passing of our former colleague, Mr. David Waterman, who served as the Missouri District Director of Schools from 1997-2006. Dave was also principal at Lutheran High School South in St. Louis from 1989-1997 as part of nearly forty years of service as an educator, servant and leader in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. President Lee Hagan said, “David Waterman was a leader and champion for Lutheran Schools. As a parish pastor, I was blessed by his caring leadership during his time on the district staff in his advocacy for Lutheran education. We are thankful for the ways God used him to be a blessing in the Missouri District. Well done, good and faithful servant!”
"Dave was a champion of Lutheran education as the Education Executive for the Missouri District - LCMS, and in his many other roles at Lutheran schools throughout the United States, but most importantly he was a man of great Faith. Dave has won the victory through Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection! He is celebrating this Christmas with his Savior! We give thanks to God for Dave's faithful service and we keep Dave's wife Sherry and their family in prayer." - Alan Freeman Assistant to the President: Schools
David Michael Waterman was called home on December 9, 2020 after an 8 ½ year battle with Parkinson’s and Dementia. Waterman was born December 22, 1951, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Eunice and Donald Waterman. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church. He graduated from Benton Community High School in 1970 and graduated from Concordia Teachers College in Seward, Nebraska in 1974, and then went on to get his master’s degree in Education Administration in 1978 from the University of Minnesota. David married Sherry Sass in 1974 and were blessed with two daughters.
He served 38 years in the ministry of Lutheran education as teacher, principal, and district executive at various institutions including Lutheran High School South in St. Louis, MO and the Missouri District LCMS. Waterman also served at Minneapolis Lutheran High School in MN, Lutheran High North in Houston, TX, and Lutheran High School of Sioux Falls, SD. His passion for education led to him serving on many committees for the LCMS, observing student teachers for various colleges, and helping plan for educator’s conferences.
David is survived by his loving wife, Sherry; his two daughters, Kari (Jason) Johnson, and Kelly (Ben) Phelps; four granddaughters, Natalie and Amy Johnson, Megan and Chloe Phelps; parents, Eunice and Donald Waterman; his two sisters, Lori (Dick) Trah, and Susan (Dan) Voss; his mother-in-law, Betty Sass; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska, or because he was such a strong advocate for Lutheran education, consider donating to a Lutheran school of your choice.
A celebration of life will be held 10:30 AM, Saturday, December 12, at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Atkins with Rev. Douglas Woltemath officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 until service time. The family politely requests that masks and social distancing be in practice.