Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Obituary: David Kearns, 85

David Henry Kearns was born in Evanston, IL to John E Kearns, Jr and Louise Hassel Kearns. The family moved from their wartime home of Pensacola, FL to Kenilworth, IL after his father (a Lieutenant and surgeon in the Navy) completed his military service. David attended school on the North Shore, ultimately attending Williams College and University of California at Berkeley where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in architecture. While at Cal, David married Glynna See. They had two children, Deirdre (Dede) and John. David’s professional career as an Architect began in the Bay Area and continued when the family returned to the Chicago area, establishing their home in Glenview, IL.

David's skill and design style as an architect gained attention on the North Shore, and his clients valued his ability to add space to their homes that blended perfectly with the original design. David served several terms on the Glenview planning commission and the Historical Society, where he helped with the design updates to historical buildings, as well as cataloging Glenview and Glenview Naval Air Station historical records. He was a member and president of the local Kiwanis Club. David was a lifelong student of Chicago and military history, enjoyed photography, and was proud of his children's accomplishments in equestrian events and bagpiping.

After Glynna’s death, David retired with a primary goal to make art and travel. David married Jane Mitchell Fischbach and moved to Lake Bluff, IL. David and Jane travelled throughout Mexico, Europe and the United States, collecting outsider art and visiting historical sites along the way. The couple eventually settled in Portland, OR, where they enjoyed being close to many family members. David developed a large portfolio of his own artwork by creating metal assemblages through welding and multimedia. While he enjoyed exhibiting his own art, he was very proud of Jane’s work and the exhibitions she showed in. David loved his time in Oregon, visiting the coast, drinking great wine while regaling family with a good pun, funny stories and historical anecdotes.

David is survived by his wife, Jane; children, Deirdre “Dede” (Michael) Pierry, John (Joy) Kearns and Kristina Fischbach; and extended family. He was the proud grandparent of John and Joy’s children, Noah and Andrew. David was preceded in death by his parents, John and Louise Kearns II; his brother, John “Eddie” Kearns III; his sister, Judith “Judy” Kearns; his first wife, Glynna Kearns; and Jane’s son, Jack Fischbach.

This obituary was provided by the Kearns family. The views expressed here are the author's own.