David Burry Wehmeyer

As a student, David was a hardworking and bright young man who excelled at math. He had an early interest in physics and also enjoyed history and astronomy. David skipped a grade in elementary school, and was awarded a scholarship to study at the Cranbrook Upper School in Bloomfield Hills, MI. He later attended the University of Michigan where he completed both undergraduate and master's degrees in engineering and nuclear physics. He interned at Lawrence labs in Berkeley California, and during the war was recruited to Oakridge, Tennessee to work on the Manhattan Project. David met his wife Ruth at U of M. The two celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2001, at a large family gathering in Ann Arbor, Michigan. They moved from Oakridge to Missouri, to Virginia, and then back to Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan where they lived for many years before retiring in South Carolina.

David worked for Detroit Edison and was instrumental in several long-term nuclear reactor design projects in Tennessee and Michigan. He was known as an intelligent, kind, and humble man, who always took a thoughtful perspective in any discussion. David enjoyed sailing, stamp collecting, family gatherings, and family genealogy. In retirement he documented an extensive family history.

David is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marjorie Ruth Stickel Wehmeyer, and is survived by his children: Jeff Wehmeyer (Susan) of Kettering, Ohio, Kristin Palmer (David), of Ann Arbor Michigan, Lisa Ryan (Michael) of Kingwood, Texas and his grandchildren: Ellen Laubie (Mark), Mary Case, Michaela and Tyler Palmer, and Kimberly and Kevin Ryan, and his great-grandchild: Juliet Laubie. The family would also like to recognize the many dedicated and loving caregivers who made David's later years comfortable and meaningful.

A private memorial celebrating David's long and fulfilling life will be held at the Muehlig Funeral Chapel in Ann Arbor. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of David may be made to Arbor Hospice or the Horizons-Upward Bound Program at Cranbrook. Please visit Mr. Wehmeyer’s webpage at www.muehligannarbor.com