David Evertz

Evertz, David Born 8/17/47 Died 10/26/07 David died, as he lived, with courage and grace, on October 26. Evertz, an educator, husband, father, friend and published poet was one of the nation's first kidney transplant patients. He received his first kidney transplant in 1974, in an operation performed by Dr. John Najarian, a doctor he respected and revered. David is survived by his beloved wife, Beth Dorsey and their daughter, Misha 17. He was enormously proud of both, and moved by his daughter's success, both in the classroom and on the soccer field. David also is survived by his mother, Shirley along with sisters Barb Joan, Barb Ellen, Darlene and Judy. Evertz was born August 17 1947. A graduate of Johnson High School in St. Paul, he later earned a B.A. and Masters in Psychology. David became an English teacher at St. Paul's Central High School and was one of the founding teachers at St. Paul Open School. He then served as Open School's dissemination director, and later, program coordinator. David recently reflected that he "had spent his whole life working with kids and families." He touched literally thousands of them in his work as a teacher, program director at Wilder, director of the Eisenminger Clinic and at Northwest Suburban Youth Services. He was a consultant in mental health to a number of school districts. Most recently he directed a project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to help improve St. Paul Public High Schools. A memorial service will be held WEDNESDAY, October 31 at 10:30 A.M. at SHIR TIKVAH CONGREGATION, 5000 Girard Avenue S. in Minneapolis. A celebration of life will follow at 611 Mt. Curve in St. Paul. Memorials preferred to Wellstone Action, St. Paul JCC, and Shir Tikvah Congregation. Hodroff-Epstein 612-871-1234