by Pat Ahlson Schildknecht on October 14, 1984 at Temple Anshe Sholom, Olympia Fields, Illinois
For his too short life of 40 years, David Lawrence accomplished many of his goals and led a very full, intensely busy life.
After high school, David attended Washington University in St. Louis and spent his summers working for a large design corporation. It was during this period that David decided he must work on his own. So after earning a BFA, he set up his own business. He operated that business, David Lawrence Design, all of his work life and became a consummate businessman.
David went on to earn a MFA from Illinois Institute of Technology, become an instructor at Columbia College, a board member of the Hyde Park Art Center, an enthusiastic art collector, and an early developer of the Superior-Huron art gallery district.
David was a talented, respected, and very successful graphic designer who was a member of an elite group of 27 Chicago designers. He won local and national awards for his graphic design.
David was a gifted artist who was serious about his work and demanded perfection from himself and others.
This was David Lawrence to be sure, but there was SO MUCH MORE....so much more that touched us all...so much more to remember and love.
There was the David Lawrence who was described by his first grade teacher as "a very capable, little lad...like one of the seven dwarves, he sings while he works". And she added, "I want him to be happy, however when I am having a reading group, that can be very disturbing".
There was the David Lawrence who loved to reminisce, who saved and savored old newspaper clippings, hundreds of vending machine photos, and all of his report cards since 1st grade...40 years of memories always at his fingertips.
A David Lawrence who could and would sing robustly the entire score or "The King and I", "My Fair Lady, "and "Oklahoma," to name only a few... anytime, anywhere.
A David Lawrence who had a delightful sense of humor, a soul-shaking giggle, told outrageously funny stories about himself, and provided most of his friends with the real belly laughs of our lives.
There was the David Lawrence who lived and worked in a merry, magical palace just off Michigan Ave. brimming with a fanciful array of possessions, bustling with friends, business associates, and assorted painters and carpenters.
A David Lawrence who was ALWAYS broke and was going to HAVE to sell his art THIS TIME FOR SURE!
A David Lawrence who was given to dancing and singing down MIchigan Avenue.
A David Lawrence who hung flashing Christmas tree lights on himself in an effort to get a part during the final tryout for "Hair".
There was the David Lawrence who could be introduced to all your friends as the zaniest person I've ever met and he would NEVER let you down.
The David Lawrence who asked EVERYONE'S opinion about EVERYTHING and did exactly as he already planned.
There was the David Lawrence who was always true to himself, spoke his mind and encouraged us all to do the same.
The David Lawrence who was a devoted, supportive friend...who smiled his pixie grin and made everything seem all right.
The David who asked me often, "Are we grown-ups now, Pat?"
This was the David Lawrence you and I depended on...
...for laughs, for fun, for surprises, for entertainment, for diversion, for relief, for comfort, for love.
We're going to miss this sparkplug, this guru of fun, this light in our lives, this truly eccentric, marvelous friend. KNOWING David has been quite an experience. LOSING David is almost unbearable. FORGETTING David will be impossible.
We are all blessed to have had such a precious love.
David E. Lawrence (September 11, 1944-October 4, 1984)
Pat's eulogy made me get teary-eyed but mostly brought smiles and a laugh. He did have an uncontrollable giggle which always comes to mind when I think of him. David truly was one of a kind. Those who knew him were all the better for it.
Thank you, Pat, for such moving words. They make me understand that being David's friend was a gift beyond value. I regret that I lost touch with him after H-F.
Patricia Ahlson (Schildknecht)
My Eulogy for David Lawrence
by Pat Ahlson Schildknecht on October 14, 1984 at Temple Anshe Sholom, Olympia Fields, Illinois
For his too short life of 40 years, David Lawrence accomplished many of his goals and led a very full, intensely busy life.
After high school, David attended Washington University in St. Louis and spent his summers working for a large design corporation. It was during this period that David decided he must work on his own. So after earning a BFA, he set up his own business. He operated that business, David Lawrence Design, all of his work life and became a consummate businessman.
David went on to earn a MFA from Illinois Institute of Technology, become an instructor at Columbia College, a board member of the Hyde Park Art Center, an enthusiastic art collector, and an early developer of the Superior-Huron art gallery district.
David was a talented, respected, and very successful graphic designer who was a member of an elite group of 27 Chicago designers. He won local and national awards for his graphic design.
David was a gifted artist who was serious about his work and demanded perfection from himself and others.
This was David Lawrence to be sure, but there was SO MUCH MORE....so much more that touched us all...so much more to remember and love.
There was the David Lawrence who was described by his first grade teacher as "a very capable, little lad...like one of the seven dwarves, he sings while he works". And she added, "I want him to be happy, however when I am having a reading group, that can be very disturbing".
There was the David Lawrence who loved to reminisce, who saved and savored old newspaper clippings, hundreds of vending machine photos, and all of his report cards since 1st grade...40 years of memories always at his fingertips.
A David Lawrence who could and would sing robustly the entire score or "The King and I", "My Fair Lady, "and "Oklahoma," to name only a few... anytime, anywhere.
A David Lawrence who had a delightful sense of humor, a soul-shaking giggle, told outrageously funny stories about himself, and provided most of his friends with the real belly laughs of our lives.
There was the David Lawrence who lived and worked in a merry, magical palace just off Michigan Ave. brimming with a fanciful array of possessions, bustling with friends, business associates, and assorted painters and carpenters.
A David Lawrence who was ALWAYS broke and was going to HAVE to sell his art THIS TIME FOR SURE!
A David Lawrence who was given to dancing and singing down MIchigan Avenue.
A David Lawrence who hung flashing Christmas tree lights on himself in an effort to get a part during the final tryout for "Hair".
There was the David Lawrence who could be introduced to all your friends as the zaniest person I've ever met and he would NEVER let you down.
The David Lawrence who asked EVERYONE'S opinion about EVERYTHING and did exactly as he already planned.
There was the David Lawrence who was always true to himself, spoke his mind and encouraged us all to do the same.
The David Lawrence who was a devoted, supportive friend...who smiled his pixie grin and made everything seem all right.
The David who asked me often, "Are we grown-ups now, Pat?"
This was the David Lawrence you and I depended on...
...for laughs, for fun, for surprises, for entertainment, for diversion, for relief, for comfort, for love.
We're going to miss this sparkplug, this guru of fun, this light in our lives, this truly eccentric, marvelous friend. KNOWING David has been quite an experience. LOSING David is almost unbearable. FORGETTING David will be impossible.
We are all blessed to have had such a precious love.
David E. Lawrence (September 11, 1944-October 4, 1984)
Marti Crews (Schmidt)
Pat's eulogy made me get teary-eyed but mostly brought smiles and a laugh. He did have an uncontrollable giggle which always comes to mind when I think of him. David truly was one of a kind. Those who knew him were all the better for it.
Susan Beck (Hoff)
Thank you, Pat, for such moving words. They make me understand that being David's friend was a gift beyond value. I regret that I lost touch with him after H-F.