David D. Ackerman

David D. Ackerman, age 73 of Midland, died Saturday morning April 18, 2015, at his residence. The son of the late Dave and Emma (Hadeway) Ackerman was born in Cass City, MI, on August 9, 1941, where he was raised and educated, graduating from Cass City High School in 1959. He then went on to earn his Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Education from Western Michigan University in 1963.
Surviving is his wife of 48 years, the former Charlotte Chriss; daughter, Amy (David) Olson of Sandy, Utah; son, Brian Ackerman of Midland; grandson, Jasen Ackerman; sister, Sharon (Raymond) Laursen of Fairgrove; brothers, Edward Ackerman of E. Lansing, Scott (Lilibeth) Ackerman of Cass City and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
David's teaching career began in the Port Huron Public School system. While in Port Huron, David met Charlotte Chriss whom he would marry on August 20, 1966, in Bemidji, Minnesota. The couple moved to Midland in 1966 and David began teaching industrial education in the Midland Public Schools, a position he held until his retirement in 1995 after 30 years of service. After retirement, David spent summers working at Ardis Artworks, the studio of a local artist where, as we often joked, he made his way from artist's apprentice to co-worker.
The outdoors was a major part of David's life. His lawn was always neatly cut and his garden weed free. As fall diminished the need for yard and garden work, David's attention turned to turkey and deer hunting. He frequently remarked that filling his hunting tags was secondary to the experience of being outside. Coming face to face with an opossum while climbing into his tree stand, watching hawks and owls cruise by looking for prey or hearing flocks of geese, swans and sandhill cranes overhead were often the main topics of his hunting report. A trip to the shores of Lake Superior to search for agates became an annual tradition. David became interested in Michigan's logging history as he helped a neighbor retrieve logs that had been lodged in the banks of the Chippewa River since the logging era in the Saginaw River Basin. This interest led to his acquiring a large collection of log stamping hammers and other artifacts from the logging period. As marking hammers became scarce and more expensive, David's attention turned to his wife's collecting interest - Red Wing stoneware. David and Charlotte became members of the Red Wing Collectors Society (RWCS) in 1995. A charter member of the Michigan chapter of the RWCS, David served as vice-president for several years.
Per the wishes of David, cremation has taken place. At a later date family and friends will be invited to gather for a celebration of his life - a time to tell stories, to laugh and to remember the good times. Memorials may be directed to one of the nation's largest non-profit animal rescue organizations, Best Friends Animal Society 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, Utah, 84741 or the Humane Society of Midland County, PO Box 1034 Midland, Michigan, 48641. Arrangements are under the care of the Wilson MILLER Funeral Home. Personal messages of condolence maybe offered to the family at www.wilson-miller.com