David Driscoll

David Paul Driscoll died peacefully at his home in Esko, Minnesota, on October 6, 2020.

Dave was born on September 5, 1958, and grew up in Clover Valley with his father Jerry, mother Harriet, and brother Jon.  He lettered in baseball and football at Clover Valley High School and graduated with honors in 1976 from Two Harbors High School.

Dave was a student teacher and teaching assistant at the College of St. Scholastica, where he received his B.A. in English and French literature. He earned an M.A. in English from Marquette University and an M.L.S. in Humanities from the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

Dave taught at most of the local colleges in Duluth, primarily the University of Minnesota and Lake Superior College. He taught many subjects, including English composition, English literature, and the humanities. Many former students report that Dave’s course was the best they took in college because Dave unapologetically shared his passion for the subject matter while creating intellectually stimulating learning experiences.

Dave was a member and officer of the Jungian society, in line with his keen interest in mythology, folktales, and archetypes.  Dave was one of the earliest scholars to bring academic attention to Philip K. Dick and arguably the foremost chronicler of that now-popular author's extensive writing.  Dave served for years at LSC as a union representative for his colleagues.

Dave had many interests beyond academia.   He was a good mechanic who collected and restored dozens of cars, trucks, tractors, vehicles, and items of heavy equipment.  He owned a fire truck for many years and would trot it out to amaze the youngsters at special occasions.  He was a gun collector, a skilled marksman and trap shooter, a great cook of simple fare, a wicked ping-pong and badminton player, and a passable poker player until the six-pack kicked in.  He was passionate about the Vikings and Twins, Warren Zevon, Elvis Costello, Hunter S. Thompson, most of the Beat Poets, and Lucky Strikes.  He enjoyed taking care of his house in Esko and the nearly Sisyphean tasks he lined up for himself at his hobby farm (the old family homestead) in Alden Township.  He was a collector, raconteur, and movie buff.  He usually looked pretty darn good on a motorcycle.

Dave was married to Lisbeth Boutang in 1989, and they parted amicably after several years of marriage.  Dave is survived by his former wife and friend Lis, his brother Jon, niece Kathleen, nephew Joseph, and many cousins, friends, and colleagues.

A private service will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Two Harbors, MN Tuesday, October 20th.