David R. Fraser

David Ralph Fraser 95, a long-time resident of Naperville, Illinois, passed away on December 28, 2024, at The Springs in Naperville. David was born on June 14, 1929 (Flag Day), in Bozeman, Montana, to William and Jeannette Fraser.

His childhood years were spent in Three Forks, Montana, before moving to East Troy, Wisconsin, with his parents and four older siblings. After the high school years working on a farm, David attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison where he earned his degree in Industrial Engineering.

After graduating he and his college sweetheart, Helen, were married in 1953 at St. Josaphat's Basilica in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

David's professional life began with General Motors and included stints in several different states before settling in Milwaukee and South Milwaukee where he and Helen raised their five children.

His engineering education touched many different areas of life including training military pilots overseas, work on the guidance system for Apollo 11, and world-class machinery manufacturing with Bucyrus Erie in South Milwaukee, WI.

David and Helen moved to Naperville in 1973 where his last assignment with GM was with Electro-Motive, a GM division that was a manufacturer of huge diesel locomotive engines. He retired from GM at the age of 55. When his wife Helen became the curator of the Martin-Mitchell Museum at Naper Settlement, he was enthusiastically pressed into service for the many odd fix-it and creative jobs she dreamed up for him. He even played the part of Ebenezer Scrooge during the Victorian Christmas events at the Settlement.

After working for General Motors, he immediately went on to a second career in project management with Cadence Consulting in Portland, Oregon, that lasted another 25 years.

While at Cadence David made presentations around the country to introduce the business community to the very new and exciting field of project management.

During these years he and Helen enjoyed traveling around the west coast, national parks in Utah, as well as vacations with Elder Hostels to Europe, including a trip to Russia where Helen's knowledge of Russian was put to good use.

They owned a cabin in the great north woods of Wisconsin where they enjoyed visiting and exploring by themselves as well as with many family members, grandchildren, and friends.

When they moved to the active retirement community of Monarch Landing, David instantly joined the woodshop, the garden community, and served on the Resident Advisory Committee. He made many contributions by working in the woodshop, building things like raised gardens as well as several heirloom wood projects for his children and grandchildren. He also still did many fix-it projects. During their most golden years, he and Helen loved going to Chicago, performances at the MAC Center at the College of DuPage, lectures, cultural events, art shows, libraries, many excursions at the Morton Arboretum, and all that life has to offer.

He had an active faith life and served as a member of the Parish Council during the earlier years of St. Raphael Catholic church in Naperville.

They were members for many years at Sts. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Naperville, and their later years as parishioners at St. Irene's Catholic Church in Warrenville, Illinois.

David is survived by his daughter Christine Fraser Patterson (Jim) of Naperville, his son Richard Fraser (Renee) of Bartlett, son James Fraser (Coco Dughi) of Boulder, Colorado, son-in-law Mark Griffith of Northport, Alabama, and daughter-in-law Diane Fraser of Salt Lake City, Utah.

David's eight grandchildren are Craig Fraser, Mary Rose and Anne Patterson, Alex, Madeline, and Henry Fraser, and David and John Fraser. David also has two great grandsons, Rob and Christopher. Christopher who was born on David's birthday, June 14, which is Flag Day.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Helen, his daughter Suzette Fraser Griffith, and very recently his son Stephen Fraser.

Visitation and Mass of Christian Burial took place on January 6 at St. Irene Catholic Church in Warrenville, Illinois.

David was a very long-time active member of the Morton Arboretum. His family requests any memorial contributions be directed to the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois.