David Linn Alexander

David Linn Alexander

Lafayette - David "Coach" Linn Alexander died on February 26, 2020 in Lafayette, Indiana. Dave was born on July 30, 1945 in Indianapolis to the late John and Anna Margaret Ross Alexander.

After graduating from Broad Ripple High School, Dave attended Purdue University where he played baseball and was a proud member of Phi Gamma Delta. Dave earned a bachelor's degree in 1962 and a master's degree in 1964. Dave also played semi-pro baseball for more than a decade and was a four-time selection to the all-state tournament team.

Dave began his career at Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis, where he taught U.S. History and coached both baseball and basketball. As the varsity basketball coach, Dave's winning percentage is the second highest in school history. During his tenure as head baseball coach, Dave held a 73% winning record which includes Chatard winning six city tourneys, three sectionals, one semi-state and one final four appearance. This was accomplished before class sports was instituted. The Chatard baseball field is named after Coach Alexander who still holds the record for the most baseball wins.

Dave was the Purdue University baseball coach from 1978-1991. During that time, Dave had 407 wins and held the record for most wins in the university's history. His 1986 his team set a school record with 37 wins, and his 1987 squad participated in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in the program's history. Dave was proud to coach so many quality student-athletes, while seeing them earn their degrees. He was inducted into the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985. In January 2019, Purdue retired #24, Dave's baseball coaching number. After leaving coaching in 1991, Dave was a Purdue athletics administrator until 1994. Dave then became a professional baseball scout for the Seattle Mariners.

From a young age, Dave had a love for sports and was an avid Purdue fan. Whether Dave was enjoying a round of golf with family and friends or coaching his nephew's travel baseball team, he found great joy in athletic competition. You could often find Dave watching the Boilermakers at Mackey Arena, Ross-Ade Stadium or Alexander Baseball Field. Dave had been a John Purdue Club member since 1963. He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church. Dave was a quiet but generous philanthropist, who was much loved by his family and friends.

Dave is survived by his brother Stephen Ross (Deborah) Alexander, and his nieces and nephew, Shannon Alexander (Grant) Farrar, Heather Lohr (Charlie Dockery) Alexander, Jeffrey Ross (Shelly) Alexander, and Katherine Alexander (Nicholas) Averitt, as well as four great nieces and nephews, Alexandra Lohr Farrar, Aubree Alexander Dockery, John Ross Averitt and Jameson Alexander Averitt and his special friend, Carolyn Baker.

Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at Soller-Baker Funeral Home, 400 Twyckenham Blvd Lafayette, IN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at ST. Boniface Catholic Church, 318 N. 9th St. Lafayette, IN. Burial will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Park in Lafayette.

Memorial contributions may be made in David's name to the Alzheimer's Association, 50 E. 91 St Ste 100 Indianapolis, IN 46209-4830, American Parkinson's Disease Association, Midwest Chapter, Central DuPage Hospital Care Center 1800 N. Main St Suite 215 Wheaton, IL 60187-3112 or Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center, 1920 West Morris Street, Indianapolis, IN 46221.

You may sign the guest book and leave condolences at www.soller-baker.com