David William Scott

David William Scott, 87, of Springfield died March 16, 2024 at Memorial Hospital. He was born in Evanston, Illinois on September 17, 1936, the son of John L Scott and Martha Buxton Scott, who preceded him in death. He married Virginia Riser on August 1, 1964 in Park Ridge, Illinois.

David earned a BA from Denison University where he was president of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, a MA in history from the University of Wisconsin, and a Ph.D. in political science from Northwestern University. He also studied at the London School of Economics. He taught American government courses at Northern Illinois University and part-time at six other Illinois colleges. He joined the staff of the Illinois State Board of Education as a senior policy analyst in 1974, where he managed the school district reorganization program and coordinated task forces, retiring from the Board in 1999.

David was dedicated to preserving Illinois heritage and improving the community. He served as vice-president and president of the Illinois State Historical Society, 2001-2005, and earned its Lifetime Achievement award. He was actively involved with the North Washington Park Association, the Sangamon County Historical Society, the Historic Preservation Association of Springfield, and was appointed to the Mayor’s Springfield Historic Sites Commission. In 2018, he edited a book for the ISHS commemorating the bicentennial of Illinois statehood. He was a board member of the World Affairs Council of Central Illinois and a volunteer docent at the Old State Capitol.

David was a lifelong enthusiast of golf, cards, racquetball, and travel; he and Virginia visited 35 countries and all 50 states. He was a forty-year member of the Christian Perspectives class at First United Methodist Church and past president of the Cracker Barrel men’s club.

Family was important to David, and he enjoyed raising his daughters and planning family vacation trips. In 2021, he authored a 100-page book of Scott family history going back to the 1700s. He will always be remembered for his integrity, kindness, intellect and loyalty.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Virginia; daughters Margaret Izzo (late husband Todd) of Mt. Lebanon, PA and Elizabeth (husband Charlie) Budinger of Sherman; grandchildren Katherine and Jonathan Izzo and Molly and Will Budinger, nine nieces and nephews, sister-in-law Joan Scott, and brother-in-law William Riser. His brothers Herbert and Richard preceded him in death.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bisch Funeral Home West, Springfield. A funeral service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 2941 S. Koke Mill Road, on Saturday, March 30, 11:00 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at Oak Ridge Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Illinois State Historical Society and First United Methodist Church of Springfield.