Darwin “Buzz” Whelan, 80, Dickinson, died Sunday, September 19, 2010 at St. Joseph’s Hospital & Health Center, Dickinson after recently suffering a stroke. A Memorial Service for Buzz will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, September 23, 2010 at the Dickinson United Methodist Church with Rev. Scott McKirdy officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Medora Cemetery, Medora. Military honors will be provided by the Dickinson Honors Team following the service. Visitation will be Wednesday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m, with the family present from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson. There will be a prayer service at 6 p.m., Wednesday. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church.
Darwin Whelan was born November 15, 1929 and grew up in Ellendale, son of Matt and Gunda (Hove) Whelan and the youngest of 10 children. He graduated from Ellendale High School in 1948. He then attended the University of ND – Ellendale branch and graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in 1952. He married Harriet Horsager in 1951. Shortly thereafter, he was drafted into the Army and served a tour of duty in Korea where he received the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service.
Upon returning from Korea, Buzz and Harriet made their home in Bowman for 13 years, where all three of their children were born. Buzz was a coach, teacher and administrator at Bowman Public Schools for those 13 years and received his Masters degree from Northern State College in Aberdeen, S.D. during that time.
Buzz and Harriet then moved to Dickinson where he was the Supervisor of Student Teachers and Associate Professor of Education at Dickinson State University for 23 years. During his time at DSU, Buzz was elected to Who’s Who in American Colleges. Buzz is best remembered for his interest and connection with his students, each one held a special place in his heart.
Buzz was actively involved in the community including Rotary, NEA-NDEA, Retired Teachers, Blue Hawk Boosters and United Way. He was the past president of ND Association of Secondary School Principals, Southwest Secondary School Principals, Legion Post Commander, Dickinson Elks Quarterbacks Club and Methodist Mens club. Buzz enjoyed hunting, woodworking, community service and attending sporting events.
Buzz is survived by his wife Harriet; daughter Stacy (John) Bang of Killdeer, son Casey (Mary) Whelan of Maple Grove, Minn. and daughter Cheri (Errol) Schoenfish of Fargo; nine grandchildren, Jason, Heidi and Haley Bang, Patrick, Lucas and Julia Whelan, Miranda, Tucker and Colter Schoenfish; one great-grandchild Gavin Bang; two sisters Delia Schweitz of Napa, Calif. and Virginia Thorpe of Riverside, Calif. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and three sisters.
Memorial donations in Buzz’s honor may be made to the Dickinson State Alumni Foundation, United Methodist Church or United Way.
