Dr. David Michael Waterman

Dr. David Michael Waterman, 49, of Charlestown, IN died on April 25, 2023 at the University of Louisville Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer.  David was born on September 3, 1973 to Robert C. Waterman and Kathleen A. (Powell) Waterman of Charlestown. 

He graduated from Charlestown High School (1991) and continued his education at Purdue University earning a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (1996).  David then began his career in the Portland, OR area in environmental engineering.   David then returned to the Midwest and earned his Masters Degree in Engineering at the University of Illinois (2011), continuing there obtaining his PhD (2017). 

David continued his career as a professor at the South Dakota School of Mines, where he was posthumously awarded Honorary Tenure.  His field of study and research was in the area of sedimentation studies in rivers and streams. 

David was a sportsman, playing baseball and basketball in high school.  He enjoyed watching baseball, basketball, and football on TV, following the Purdue Boilermakers and University of Illinois Fighting Illini, in particular. 

David enjoyed all things outdoors.  He solo-hiked and camped throughout the western US and particularly in Oregon, Washington, and California.  He enjoyed fishing and loved being on the water.

David was a loving person and donated his corneas at his death. 

David is survived by his parents; two sisters: Angela Bridges (Levi) of Gosport, IN and Mary Waterman (Christopher Williams) of Gaithersburg, MD; and nephews and niece: Logan Bridges, Noah Bridges, and Hannah Williams.   David is also survived by his grandparents, John and Norma Powell, several aunts, uncles, and cousins.   He is also survived by several friends from Charlestown, University of Illinois, and South Dakota School of Mines. 

He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Robert M. and Geneva Waterman; and his maternal grandmother, Enola Powell. 

David’s visitation will be at the Scott Funeral Home, 2515 Veterans Parkway, Jeffersonville, IN from 4 PM to 8 PM, on Sunday, April 30, with a funeral service on Monday, May 1, at 11 AM, with a visitation one-hour prior to the service.

Also, a visitation at the DeBaun Funeral Home, 85 East Springhill Drive, Terre Haute, IN will be held on Tuesday, May 2, from 4 PM to 8 PM, with a memorial service on Wednesday, May 3, at 11 AM, with a visitation one-hour prior to the service.  Burial will follow at the New Harmony Cemetery, near Prairieton, IN. 

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks that you make a donation in David’s honor to the laboratory where he spent many hours during his Masters and PhD work:  Ven Te Chow Hydrosystems Laboratory, c/o Dr. Marcelo H. Garcia, University of Illinois, 1304 W. Springfield, Urbana, Illinois 61801.

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