Obituary of David L Atwood

DAVID LAWRENCE ATWOOD born June 6, 1950, left this life in the early evening hours on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, 33 days past his 74th birthday. Family members were with him earlier in the day, but he seemingly chose to head off on his own, much as he often did while living.

Dave was born in Chicago, IL, grew up on the southwest side of the city, and graduated from Lindblom High School in 1967. He completed three years of study at University of Illinois Chicago Circle Campus before leaving to work full-time for the Illinois Central Railroad as a tower man then train dispatcher. After a six-year stint with a transportation unit of the U.S. Army Reserves, he moved to Evergreen, CO where he worked with a music booking agency and as a part-time photographer.

In the early 1980s Dave returned to the Midwest and railroading, taking a position with the Chicago Central and Pacific Railroad in Cedar Falls, IA. While there he pursued and completed a graduate degree in the teaching of English to speakers of a foreign language (TESOL) at Northern Iowa University. This put him on a path leading to a year in Pakistan and then a position teaching English in Medellin, Colombia. It was there that he met Blanca, a student and graphic artist who in 1998 became his wife.

Together they returned to Chicago and Dave once again turned to railroading. After a number of years with the Canadian National RR, he waved goodbye permanently to railroading and joined Blanca in the creation of Wild Consort, Inc., a graphic design and communications company focused on the growing Spanish-speaking advertising market in the Chicago area.

While living on the south side of Chicago, Dave and Blanca acquired a small acreage in northeastern Iowa and worked to convert the century-old, stone schoolhouse on site into something which would become their permanent residence. After years of effort they completed the work in early 2016 and moved there in early summer. Tragically, Blanca was diagnosed with peritoneal cancer and passed away in October of the same year at her family home in Medellin, Colombia with Dave at her side.

Dave returned to Iowa and continued in the old schoolhouse until moving into Eagle Ridge Assisted Living in Guttenberg, IA in 2021 and then to Wealshire- Bloomington, MN in March, 2023.

Recognized as exceptionally bright at an early age, Dave had been pushed a year ahead in elementary school, virtually guaranteeing he would always be the smallest kid in his class. Not surprisingly, you typically found the adult Dave fighting on the side of the “little” guy. His time spent administering English-language programs for Afghan refugees though the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Pakistan, his work lobbying to abolish the death penalty in Illinois and his campaigning for Bernie Sanders were all a reflection of his desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

The last few years were increasingly difficult for Dave, but he continued to struggle against the effects of dementia as it gradually robbed him of his most precious commodity – his ability to communicate. But even as the end approached, those around him discovered he could still express an opinion if required.

He will be greatly missed and well-remembered by all those whose lives he touched throughout his travels, multiple careers and many varied interests.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence K. and Catherine H. (Fuller) Atwood, his wife Blanca Robledo Atwood and Gary L. Knutson. He is survived by his brothers John L. and Gary W and sister-in-law Mary Ann (Gary) Atwood.

In keeping with his wishes, Dave will be cremated and his ashes accorded a final resting place together with those of his much-loved wife Blanca.