David Claeys

David Albert Claeys, 67, a resident of Bettendorf, Iowa died September 16, 2013 at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House following an extended illness.

David grew up in Moline, Illinois, the son of Albert J. Claeys and Pauline A. (Pospisil).  He graduated from Moline High School in 1963, attended Blackhawk Community College, then earned his Bachelor of Science Degree at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in 1968. He married Suzanne Garey on June 10, 1968. He began his career teaching science at Centralia High School in Centralia, Illinois.  After completing his Masters Degree in Science at SIU in 1970, he returned to the Quad-Cities and taught science at West High School.

David served in the United States Army Reserves from 1968 until he received an Honorable Discharge in 1974.

From 1975 to 1991, Dave and his family resided in Long Grove, Iowa where Dave served as a volunteer fireman on the Long Grove Volunteer Fire Department from 1975 to 1986.  In 1977, he became a faculty member at Scott Community College.  He continued his career at SCC serving as Division Head of Arts and Sciences and Director of the Palmer Campus in 1979, Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences (1980), Dean of Academic Affairs (1985), Dean of the College (1990), Executive Director of Technology (1995), then President of SCC and Vice Chancellor of Technology from 2001 until his retirement in June, 2005.  Dave earned his Doctor of Education Degree from Nova University in 1984.

Dave received numerous awards during his career for outstanding leadership in community college education.  In 1995, as President of the National Alliance of Community Colleges, he was recognized for his distinguished national leadership in improving post secondary occupational education throughout the United States.  In 2006, Dave received the Alcoa Leadership Award for his 28 years of leadership and service at SCC.

In retirement, Dave was an avid fisherman and was a member of the Quad-City In-Fisherman Club.  He enjoyed reading and continuous learning, yard work and all fishing related activities.  His had great joy and pride in spending time with his children and grandchildren, and was a tremendous support to his family members in their pursuit of education, careers, sports, and hobbies. They relied on him many times for his sage advice.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Alan J. Claeys.  David will be sorely missed by his wife, Suzanne, son Scott Claeys and (Debra) of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, his daughter, Kathleen and (Joel) Froehlich of Sunbury, Ohio., grandsons, Marty and Mason Claeys, granddaughters, Coral Dannatt, Logan and Ella Froehlich, his nephew, Michael Claeys of Rock Island, niece, Angie Tuftee and sister-in-law Suzanne M. Claeys of Thomsen, Illinois, four great nephews, two great nieces and other dear friends and relatives.

No services are being held.  McGinnis Chambers Funeral Home, Bettendorf, will perform cremation.  A David A. Claeys Memorial Scholarship will be established at Scott Community College.