David Stone, 78, of Vero Beach, passed away peacefully on May 31, 2014, in his home and surrounded by his loving family after an eight year battle with cancer.
He is survived by his wife Ba; two children, Margot Bowen (Dr. Mark) and Carrie Shafer (Brad); two step-children, Beau Delafield (Carrie) and Dana Getz (George); five grandchildren, Wilson, Ross, Ned, Catherine and David; six step-grandchildren, Addie, Finley, Mason, Max, Beau, and Charlotte; and one sister, Elizabeth Sass.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 41 years, Jane Wilson Stone, a brother, Fred Dalzell Stone, a sister, Stella Stone Berven and sister-in-law, Virginia Wilson Keller.
Stone was better known by his self-appointed nickname “Coach.” He insisted his eleven grandchildren use the name “Coach” until they could challenge him successfully in 18 holes of golf and two sets of tennis in one day. The name stuck, and countless others affectionately called him Coach as he enthusiastically encouraged friends near and far in their chosen pursuits.
Born in Evanston, Ill., on Sept. 13, 1935, to Liz and Fred Stone, Stone was raised in Kenilworth, attended Joseph Sears School, New Trier High School and graduated from DePauw University in 1957 where he met Jane Wilson, his future bride.
After serving in the Army, he attended Kellogg Graduate School of Management, graduating in 1961.
He joined William Blair & Company in 1969 as an Institutional Salesman, covering the Midwest and Western U.S. He had previously worked at American Hospital Supply and the Continental Bank.
At 34, given “the chance to run a bank” at Continental, he found himself at a crossroads. He’d been watching the stock market and decided to join William Blair, leaving corporate life behind and never looking back.
Stone became a partner at William Blair & Company in 1973, National Sales Manager in 1975, and spent 20 years as the Manager of the Institutional Sales department. Upon his retirement, his sales force applauded Stone’s eternal optimism, celebrating the “rose colored glasses with which he viewed the world more clearly.”
A Life Trustee of the Merit School of Music in Chicago, Stone served on the Board of Trustees from 1994 to 2001. Merit created “The Dave Stone Arm Twister Award” based upon his profound fund raising efforts on behalf of the school.
He also served eight years on the Board of Trustees of DePauw University and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Wilmette State Bank, The Private Bank Advisory Board and the Board of Directors of Kenilworth Union Church, Skokie Country Club and The John’s Island Club in Vero Beach.
Stone was a passionate, oft disappointed Cubs and Bears fan, an avid golfer and tennis player, and talented water-colorist.
A Celebration of his Life will be held at the Community Church of Vero Beach at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 11, and at the Kenilworth Union Church at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 14.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to VNA Hospice Foundation of Indian River County 1110 35th Lane Vero Beach, FL 32960, the Merit School of Music, (312) 786-9428, Merit Music Donation Link, or the Community Church of Vero Beach, (772) 562-3633, CCVB Donation Link.
