Dr. David L. Filmer

1932 - 2021

Dr. David L. Filmer

West Lafayette - Dr. David L. Filmer, 88, of West Lafayette passed away unexpectedly May 23, 2021, at IU Health Arnett Hospital in Lafayette.

He was born June 4, 1932 in Youngstown, OH to the late Jack and Marjorie (Harrar) Filmer. He graduated from Canfield High School in Canton, OH and was awarded his Bachelor of Science in Physics and Biology from Youngstown College in 1954. David continued his education at the University of Wisconsin, earning a Masters Degree in Bacteriology and the PhD in Biophysics in 1961. After several years working as a Senior Scientist at Brookhaven National Laboratory, he was recruited to Purdue University's Biology Department. There he taught the large microbiology classes to pharmacy and nursing students. He also taught Infectious Diseases for years in Purdue's Medical School. After his retirement in 2002 he returned as a Professor in the Aeronautical and Astronautical School in the College of Engineering. There he taught Mat Lab and Satellite Design courses as well as building Cube Sats before finally retiring in 2019. Dave was a most devoted and beloved professor, always encouraging and helping students in their studies and research.

Throughout his entire life, Dave was a strong and devout Christian. On June 10, 1990 he married Christiane E. Keck at St. Mary's Cathedral in Lafayette. Together they enjoyed traveling to many countries, but especially to Germany where Christiane was born. They both spent a research sabbatical there, Dave in Marburg and Christiane in Munich. They spent time in the summer in Canada in their home on the lake. Dave had a passion for amateur radio, which he operated his whole life. He was a member of many professional and community organizations. For years Dave volunteered with Red Cross and the Salvation Army. He was also a member of WIRES and the Lafayette Rotary Club.

Along with is wife Christiane, David is survived by 2 daughters, Rebecca (John) Christenson of Prior Lake, Minnesota and Susan (Kirk) Gould of Scottsdale, Arizona, brothers Richard (Frances) Filmer and Elwood (Jean) Filmer and sister Janet Lewis along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was also so very fond of his many nieces and nephews. David was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Marjorie Patton.

Memorial contributions in David's name may be given to the Salvation Army, Lafayette Rotary Club Foundation or WIRES (Western Indiana Radio Emergency Services), 5 Adina Place, Lafayette, IN 47905.

Visitation will be from 12:00 pm until time of service at 1:00 pm, Friday, June 4, 2021 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 2224 Sacramento Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47906 with Father David Buckles officiating. You may watch the livestream of the service at https://boxcast.tv/view/funeral---dave-filmer-447607.

Interment will follow at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens, 1718 W. 350 North, West Lafayette, IN 47906.

Share memories, leave condolences, and sign the guest book at www.soller-baker.com.