David Franklin Atwater

David Franklin Atwater, 75, of Cary, NC, formerly of Champaign, IL, passed away surrounded by loving family on October 29, 2022. He was born September 6th, 1947, in Plattsburgh, NY, son of the late Dr. Franklin and Betty (Cook) Atwater.

David received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester, where he studied trombone with Emory Remington. He also received a doctorate in music education from the University of Illinois.

David taught music in the Rush-Henrietta School District, Henrietta, NY, and at Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio. Many of his students went on to have distinguished careers in music. For twenty-five years he served as the Assistant Director of the School of Music at the University of Illinois, where he oversaw the finances and operations of the school and facilitated the work of the faculty and students.

David will be remembered as a kind and considerate gentleman who loved his family and music. In retirement, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends, singing in musical groups, listening to music, reading, watching his beloved Chicago White Sox, birdwatching and traveling extensively. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years Martha; his daughter Debra; his son Brett, (Amber); and his three grandchildren Adrian, Harrison and Bennett Atwater. Also surviving are his sister Kathleen Keesing, (Joost), his sister Barbara Fell, (Richard), and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Emory Remington Memorial Fund at https://www.esm.rochester.edu/alumni/remington-memorial-fund/.

A memorial service for David will be held 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 19, 2022 at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 Southeast Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27511.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BrownWynneCary.com for the Atwater family.