David S. DeShon

WMU Professor Emeritus David S. DeShon died after a brief illness in Battle Creek, MI. Halfway to his 90th birthday, David was looking forward to continuing his research and writings in the humanities. His most recent efforts involved synthesizing the writings of French philosopher Gilles DeLeuze with a philosophical interpretation of the Menger sponge, vis-a-vis, that the surface of existence is all we experience/all that is and the depth of existence is unknown and truly unknowable. We use the tricks we’ve been taught -- fables, theories, and traditions, to fabricate understanding. 

David was born in Kansas City, MO in 1935. Before moving to Smithville, MO in 1943, David lived in an ethnically diverse neighborhood in Kansas City, MO where his mother’s family operated a six-chair beauty salon. Many of her customers spoke foreign languages and plenty of days conversations were had with languages “flying everywhere.” As a little boy, David’s mother sent him by bus to attend art classes at the Nelson-Atkinson Museum of Art.

In 1957, David married Jo (Hartnett) DeShon and embarked on a 62-year loving marriage to the “smartest woman I ever met”. In 1964, David, Jo, and their daughter Leslie moved to Kalamazoo and braved their first of many Michigan winters. In 1965, their family was complete when Amy was born. David learned to ski and taught his daughters. He learned to cook and could make a wickedly good breakfast. Inspired by that early art education, David could design like an architect, execute like a craftsman, and appreciated the beauty that surrounds us through photography.

David obtained his PhD from the University of Missouri and spent his entire life in pursuit of awareness. David cultivated friendships with people of diverse interests. He enjoyed lively and thoughtful conservations on a variety of subjects.

David is preceded in death by his wife, Jo C. DeShon, née Hartnett, his mother and father Lucretia and Earl DeShon and his brother, James DeShon. He leaves behind his daughters, Leslie (James Knapp) and Amy (Greg Robertson). In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in his wife’s name, Jo C. DeShon, to the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) at action.aclu.org or by calling 1-888-567-ACLU.

Arrangements by the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.