David Wheatcroft Hinde

David Wheatcroft Hinde
After a short bout with cancer, David Wheatcroft Hinde has died at the age of 85. Born in Moline, Illinois to Margaret (née Shank) and Wilfrid Hinde, Dave attended Moline High School, graduating in 1953 as a National Honor Society member. He was president of the Camera Club, thus beginning his infatuation with nature photography. He played Biondello (“As much an apple doth an oyster…”) in The Taming of the Shrew that year, perhaps the moment in which his affection for Shakespeare and good food took root. He attended the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, married his first wife, Bonnie, in Joy, Illinois, and then took a stint in the Army, stationed in Georgia and Texas. Studying further at New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM and Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, he became a professor with Rock Valley College in 1966; his many colleagues there were lifelong friends. Concurrently, he worked with the law firm of Holmstrom & Green PC, where he especially enjoyed the company, “even though they are lawyers.”

An ardent environmentalist, Dave enjoyed clearing streams with Trout Unlimited, working with the Midwest Chapter of the Rhododendron Society and as a member of the “Tuesday Crew of Old Farts” at Klehm Arboretum, wielding a chainsaw and shovel until the pandemic struck. An Illinois Master Gardener, along with his wife Ellen (née Eddie) whom he married in 1982, he was a font of gardening advice, volunteering with many local organizations, including Plant a Row for the Hungry and the Nygren Wetland Preserve. Bird hunter, fisherman, nature photographer, flytier, beekeeper and planter of surely a thousand trees, his commitment to protecting and restoring the environment will not go unnoticed. Nor will this double negative, as he unfailingly corrected the grammar of everyone he knew and even those he did not. His love for the English language extended to theatre, especially Shakespeare, most often indulged at American Players Theatre in Spring Green, WI, where he and Ellen were early contributors. He also tutored elementary school children in reading and math.

Music was a mainstay throughout his life, both classical and jazz. He fondly remembered performances of decades ago at Charlotte’s Web and Ravinia and, more recently, the Rockford Symphony, regaling family with his Woody Guthrie imitation or assuring us the symphony was “much better than it used to be.” Family day trips to Rose Records on Wabash were the focus of entire Saturdays, punctuated by all-too-brief entries into the Art Institute of Chicago or the Field Museum, and finished with languorous and noisy meals at The Berghoff. Briefly attempting to play the banjo for a year, his respect for musicians grew by bounds, as did his record collection.

Survived by his wife, Ellen Hinde of Roscoe, Illinois, his daughter Barbara Hinde, son-in-law Mark Schuster and granddaughters Madeleine & Quinn Hinde-Schuster of Highland Park, Illinois, and his stepdaughter Pam Skipper, son-in-law Billy Joe Skipper, grandchildren Dustin, Trey and Jessica, and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved son David K. Hinde of Atlanta, Georgia, brother, John (Jack) Hinde of Albuquerque, NM, sister, Catherine Hinde Morris of Colorado Springs, CO, and the many cats and dogs that he loved with abandon and mourned deeply. A memorial event and time of sharing will be held later this year when we may more safely gather. In lieu of flowers, donations in memoriam may be sent to any of the organizations above, or consider planting a tree in your own garden.
Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory assisted the family. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.