David P. Prasse Ph.D.

1946 - 2017

Prasse, David P., PhD David Paul Prasse, Vice Provost at Loyola University Chicago, died at his home in Elm Grove on December 23, 2017, at the age of 71. Deeply loved husband of Carol for 39 years. Adoring father of four daughters, Andrea Prasse of Seattle, WA, Erin (Patrick) Prasse-Gartland of Traverse City, MI, Sarah Prasse of Highwood, IL and Kathleen (John Betzler) Prasse of Minneapolis, MN. (And no, he did not want any sons). Loving Grumps of two granddaughters, Madeline and Greta Gartland. Cherished son of the late Revs. Edgar and Barbara Prasse and loving brother of Christine (Patrick) Farley, Monica (Frank) Boruch and Jonathan (Jackie) Prasse. Born in Cleveland, Ohio on October 14, 1946, David was raised in Elkhart, Indiana. He received his B.A. from Hanover College, and his M.S. and Ph.D. in School Psychology from Indiana State University. He was drafted during the Vietnam war and served in the Army as a staff psychologist. David began his career as a state consultant for the Indiana Department of Education but returned to academia in 1976 where he joined the faculty at UW-Milwaukee as Professor and Chair of the school psychology program. A gifted writer and thinker, he quickly rose to national prominence, becoming known for his expertise in the legal aspects of delivering school psychological and special education services. He held several administrative positions at UWM prior to leaving in 1993 and joining the faculty at Governors State University in Illinois where he served as Professor and Director of the Graduate Program in School Psychology. David joined Loyola University Chicago in 1999 as a Professor and Chair of the Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Educational Psychology, becoming Dean of the School of Education in 2005. As part of Loyola's partnerships with neighborhood schools, David designed and implemented Loyola's successful relationship that helped transform Senn High School. On a national level, David was instrumental in the development of Response to Intervention (RtI), an educational innovation on the delivery of instruction to students and identification of special education students. In 2013, David became Vice Provost and oversaw the major operational responsibilities of the Office of the Provost. He was an extraordinary leader of people. In addition to David's work in academia, he was a licensed psychologist and saw patients in private practice in Whitefish Bay for many years. He provided wise counsel to his patients, and was loved by those who worked with him. He served on the Wisconsin Psychology Examining Board under two different governors, serving as chairman of the board for several years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the David Prasse Community Schools Scholarship, which will provide full tuition scholarships to graduates of Senn High School who attend Loyola University Chicago. Visitation will be held at the Funeral Home on Friday, January 5, 2018, from 3 PM until the time of service at 6 PM. Private committal services will be held at a later date.