David E Lower

David Elbert Lower passed away peacefully at his home in Wildomar on April 19, 2021, at the age of 101 years. David was a fourth generation Hoosier, born and raised on a farm in northeastern Indiana. His youth paints a bucolic portrait of a boy tending to cows and pigs every morning and evening, being bussed across five miles of dirt roads to the “brand new” school house which boasted electricity and flush toilets, and hunting, fishing, and swimming with his younger brother at the nearby Elkhart River.

Following graduation from Manchester College in 1941, David married Kathryn Reish. They had no home, no money, no job, and all their belongings could be carried in two suitcases. The day before start of fall semester, David received a job offer to coach basketball and teach physical education at Central High School in Madison, Indiana, 250 miles away, for $125 per month. David’s launch to a teaching career was short-lived as, having registered for the first U.S. peace-time military draft in October 1940, he received in February 1942 an “invitation” from President Roosevelt to join the U.S. Army. Originally assigned to the 1st Radio Squadron, David quickly demonstrated his intelligence and leadership by advancing through officer training to the rank of Captain in the newly formed Army Air Forces. Following four years of service in World War II, David moved his wife and young daughter to California, where he took a job with New York Life Insurance Company.  In 1949, David and his family moved to Whittier, California, where he lived for 37 years. In August 1950, David was recalled to 18 months service as a Major in the U.S. Air Force for the 452nd Light Bombardment Wing in Korea. David often joked how fortunate he was to have sustained no injuries or health problems during his military service as only afterward did he discover he had served two tours of duty with the wrong blood type imprinted on his dog tags. Returning from Korea, David took a job teaching science at East Junior High School in Downey, California. David’s love of teaching was evinced by receiving the district-wide Best Teacher Award during his first year. He left a profound and enduring impact on his students, many of whom kept in touch with him for decades after leaving his classroom. After teaching during the day, David continued to build his insurance clientele in the evenings until 1964 when he became a full-time insurance agent and soon incorporated his own insurance agency. Following retirement in 1986, he moved to Wildomar where he was active in his church, a frequent presence at the senior center, and an unbridled fan and supporter of the girls basketball team at Vista Murrieta High School.

David was renowned for his generosity, good humor, and wealth of stories. Even in his latter years, his razor-sharp recall was uncanny and talent for weaving a narrative of his rich life enchanting.

David was preceded in death by his brother James, daughter Elizabeth, and wife of 73 years Kathryn. David is survived by his daughter Carole and grandson Curtis.

David will be interred at Wildomar Cemetery following a private ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Salvation Army.  https://murrieta.salvationarmy.org/

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