Date Pending No Memorial Service Scheduled or Private
Obituary
David Mather passed away on January 8, 2011 at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, Iowa, after
an eight month battle with pneumonia. David was born on August 13, 1940 in Joliet, Illinois to Herman and Louise (Kientz) Mather. He attended parochial schools in La Grange and Downers Grove, IL before graduating from St Procopius Academy of Lisle, Ill. in 1958. He obtained his BA degree in mathematics from St Procopius College in 1962. David received his MA degree from Miami of Ohio and his PhD. in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin Madison in 1970. He taught at Benedictine College in Lisle, IL, American University in Washington D.C., Regis College in Denver, CO., Simpson College in Indianola, IA., and for the last 20 years of his career at Iowa State University in Ames, IA. He retired in 2002. David had a very inquisitive mind and enjoyed a wide range of interests from birds and butterflies to stars, cars, and computers. He took a month long trip to Europe with George in 2003 which had been a dream of his since an early age.
David is survived by his husband George Giesler. Also left to celebrate his life are his nephews Rick (Rose), Dave (Chris) Breuss, Brent (Deb) Cooper all of Des Moines, IA. Chuck (Kelly) Mather of Denver, CO Russ (Cindy) and Bill (Cynthia) Schomig of Chicago, Il; nieces, Barbara Christenson of Columbus, OH and Kathleen Weiss of Denver, CO. He had 15 great nieces and nephews and 5 great great nieces and nephews, also, a sister-in-law Carolyn Mather of Denver, CO and a brother-in-law Mel (Ruby) Lenz of Adel, IA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Robert Mather, two sisters Rita Schomig and Betty Breuss Lenz, nieces, Diane Schomig Spadoni and Susan Breuss Cooper.
David was cremated and his remains will be buried in a private ceremony at a later date. No funeral service or visitation will be held per his wishes.
Memorials may be directed in his name to Riemann Gardens in Ames, Iowa or the Iowa Genealogical Society in Des Moines, Iowa.
Online condolences may be sent to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
I never met David, but he was a great help in doing family genealogy and I am greatful.
I know he will be missed by all and may he rest in peace
Posted By: Marilyn Luft, Andover, MN. - somewhere down the line. on February 22, 2011
Dear George and family
Please accept my sincere sympathy. I am sad to read of David's death.
One day only, I met David, when you came to Offendorf in 2003. It was incredible to meet an American cousin. He was very interested to discover the village of origin of a part of his ancestors. He gave me old photos and old letters about Hild's family.
I'll never forget him.
Posted By: Denis Koerper and Hild family from Offendorf near - on February 15, 2011
David.. we never had that beer we discussed so often. Life is too short. I wish you and your family peace.
Posted By: Jan Warwick - friend from ISU on February 12, 2011
I want to say that although My Husband and I had never met David, Our Heart is Saddened so Deeply, His love for this family and the desire to keep the past and present together is the reason that he brought a little boy that was abducted 43 years from his Cousin Rose back together. He became a big part of our heart and family, and the love that he shared with us after, His emails the two years after and the shared family pictures and memories he shared with us, well it completed this family. David I know that the Lord has a special place for you. And one day I will meet you. Rest Now. Continue to be A Special Angel
Posted By: Ron and April Stewart - Cousin on February 11, 2011
I am sad to read of David's death.
David was a wonderful " genealogical cousin" ( a 4th cousin of my grandmother ) who sent me a lot of informations from Mather's family. I never met him, but may be, by the graces of God, I shall see him one day...
Thanks to him, my genealogical data base has grown up very quickly and easily.
I share in the loss of your ( and also mine...) family.
My prayers are with him and you.
Sincerely.
Posted By: Marie-Odile Obry, from Bordeaux ( France) - granddaughter of Louise M on February 11, 2011
Even though I only knew you for a short time,
The knowing left me enlarged, if a bit stunned.
The same man who rebuilds rear axle assemblies
On Alfa-Romeo sports cars also was a proficient –
and voluntary DOS command teacher. This person also showed
people stars and galaxies, pointing them out by name.
He was genial, easygoing if a bit prickly at times.
I lived in the same rooming house – and was fortunate.
He was not afraid to speak his mind to anyone –
And he was rarely wrong about anything.
He seemed to live a life rich with experiences and interests,
imparting his enthusiasm for these to others with ease.
In addition to family, he leaves behind a husband,
Many happy memories and thousands of young minds
that have been enriched with mathematical knowledge.
Many of us would do well to live half the life David lived.
Hopefully he is in a place where there are no irrational numbers,
And pi is served with creamy vanilla ice cream, not rows of computers.
Here is to you, Dave. You will live on in many memories.
Posted By: Mike Wilson - Co-roommate on January 13, 2011
Dear George and family
Bill and I were saddened to read of David's death. Bill was a colleague with David in the ISU Math Department where he had high regard for David's teaching skills.
I met David and you on some genealogy researching trips to Kansas City several years ago.
David was a kind and compassionate man and will be greatly missed. We share in your loss.
Sincerely,
Bill and Rosellyn Rudolph
Posted By: Bill and Rosellyn Rudolph - on January 12, 2011
George, I am sorry for your loss.
Posted By: Rhonda Riordan - on January 12, 2011
My family and I are sad that Uncle Dave is no longer with us. He was as nice a man as you could meet, a loving Uncle, and just a wonderful person. He loved life and dedicated his work-life to the education of others. I firmly believe that these are happy times in Heaven for him and his family members who passed on before him, my mother included. What a reunion! Uncle Dave will be missed for sure, but remembered most fondly by all of us whose lives he touched. We are so grateful to have had him in our lives and are also now grateful Our Lord has him in His for eternity. By the graces of God, we will see him again. Our love and prayers are with you, Uncle Dave, as they are with Uncle George. He too, is a good man and we're privledged to walk beside him. Love you; may you rest in peace...
Posted By: Rick, Rose, Rick, and Katelyn Breuss - Uncle on January 11, 2011
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