Jill, I am sorry to hear about David and hope your family can find comfort and peace. When we graduated high school, we went out to El Dorado lake with my bass boat and were going to stay all night in a tent. During our fishing trip, the engine quit working so we were trying to get back to our campsite with the trolling motor, which ultimately gave out. David said "let's sled dog this thing" and jumped out of the boat with a rope and we swam across the lake pulling the boat. We gave up on fishing and just sat there and talked at the campground the rest of the evening. I hate that I didn't keep up with him after you moved to Moberly, but my last email I had from him ( in March) was comforting to know that he was still the strong willed guy that pulled my bass boat across the lake.
Darren Alexander
Class of 1985 and fellow Trans Am owner
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this very difficult time. Dr. Whitson will be missed by so many.
He was a wonderful man. Deepest sympathy.
Dr. Whitson was my eye doctor for a number of years (a long time). i always appreciated his thoroughness and detailed explanations. He was a neat person and will be greatly missed.
I was an optometry classmate of Dave's and always found him to be a funny, nice guy who was always pleasant to be around. It was my pleasure to have spent 3 years of my life in class with him. I last saw him a year or two ago when he dropped by my office in Rolla just to say hi and to introduce his son to me. Rest in Peace, Dave, and my deepest condolences to Jill and his children.
He was a wonderful eye doctor for my mother. He was able to help her when I was worried that she might need to stop driving because of vision problems. Monica Schmidt, Betty Brooks
I am so sorry Jill and family. Dave was one the best men I knew, and I have so many fond memories of you guys. He is in an awesome place now for sure, and I wish you and your family rest, and peace.
UMSL class of 93 has lost a gentle giant. Dave was such a great guy! Once I was struggling in school and he just discreetly stepped in to help me. When I tearfully thanked him, he just gave me that smile and slowly nodded, not a word. I always suspected that was the type doctor he would be. When I saw him at conferences and asked about the family, he would light up with pride and brag how blessed he was. My heart breaks for you all. It is sad he is gone so young before teaching his grandkids to hunt. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
I only met Dr. Whitson twice. The first time, because of previous eye surgeries, he referred me to another eye doctor which was very professional. The second time I had gotten something in my eye, and even though he wasn’t my eye doctor, to my great relief, he got me in immediately and removed the foreign object. He was kind and patient and I never heard anything but positive comments about Dr. Whitson. So sorry for this great loss to your family and the Moberly community.
