David A. Waas

Professor of History Emeritus, David A Waas, born February 20th, 1926, died mid-morning February 4th, 2026, days shy of his 100th birthday.

Born to E.R. and Lorraine (Douglas) Waas in Burbank California, David spent his childhood acting in school plays, singing in choirs, and working in his father's shop repairing bicycles and shoes.

David became active in the Church of the Brethren in his teens and spent a year as the pastor of the Glendale Church of the Brethren in California. Deciding that pastoral work was not his calling, he chose to attend Manchester College in North Manchester, Indiana. There he met and later married Rebecca Brightbill.

David and Becky together pursued his higher education living in student housing in Urbana Champaign, where David earned his Masters and PhD at the University of Illinois. Together they had four daughters, Martha, Deborah, Elizabeth and Lorraine.

David was a lifelong educator and was on faculty of Otterbein, Western State, and Cottey colleges before accepting a position in the history department of his alma mater, Manchester.

David and Becky and their girls made their lives in North Manchester where he was active in local elections, served on numerous committees for the Manchester Church of the Brethren and served his community with the Rotary Club. Over the 60 years David was a resident of North Manchester, he and Becky traveled extensively. After his retirement from Manchester College in 1991, they taught on several Semester at Sea voyages and led dozens of tours to countries all over the world.

While most people met David in his role as a teacher, he himself was always a student. Whether it was understanding a complex historical scenario or learning about the family of his tour guide, David sought knowledge and understanding.

He was a lifelong choir member, library patron and gave a weekly community current affairs lecture called News talk.

He is preceded in death by his youngest daughter Lorraine, his beloved wife, Becky, his parents, E.R. and Lorraine and his siblings Douglas and Altonetta. He is survived by three daughters, Martha, Deborah and Elizabeth and multiple grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at the Manchester Church of the Brethren at a date yet to be determined.

For those who wish to honor the memory of David A. Waas, memorial contributions may be made to On Earth Peace, P.O. Box 188, New Windsor, Maryland 21776-0188. www.onearthpeace.org/donate

The family of David Waas has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements.