David Bruce Ament


David Bruce Ament was the personification of integrity. He was born in Merrill, WI on October 24, 1944, where reportedly he had a perfect Tom Sawyer style life on the Wisconsin River. His family moved to Madison when he began 7th grade. Perfect he felt. He left us on October 10, 2017. He will be remembered for his dedication to his family, to education, the Packers, golf and for his wonderful sense of humor. A lifetime Wisconsinite, David graduated from Monona Grove HS, where some teachers didn't expect him to amount to much. Decades later he returned to teach them a thing or two. He had become a significant educator, receiving his Bachelor and Master's Degrees from UW-Whitewater and a Specialist Degree from UW-Milwaukee. He received the John Melcher Award in 1997 in recognition of an outstanding contribution to Special Education. He began his career as a high school social studies teacher in Sheboygan Falls, where he became interested in students with struggles. Next he taught Emotionally Disturbed children in West Bend; later becoming Director of Special Education for CESA 5, and finally Assistant District Administrator of Baraboo Schools. He guided a few small districts in Special Education after his retirement in 2000. He served on the board for CASS (Counsel of Administrators of Special Education). Meeting his wife, Deri, of 50 years on a blind date, he made all her dreams come true. Together they worked their ways through undergrad and postgraduate degrees. Before the birth of their excellent children, they spent two summers traveling and camping in the western US and Canada. Parenthood was his crowning achievement. His three grandchildren provided remarkable joy. He loved history and was an avid reader. He loved football, and had coached a winning team at the junior high level where all team members played. He was not only a diehard Packer fan, but an owner! David loved golf, serving on the Baraboo Country Club board for many years. He enjoyed many years of deer hunting and fishing in WI and Canada. He loved to gamble, and had many a trip to Las Vegas with pals. Disabled by polio at 10 months of age, he was an inspiration of courage, persistence and determination. He is sorely missed. He is survived by his wife Deri; his daughter Darci (Andrew) Tronick of Seaside, CA; his son Douglas (Stephanie) Ament of Washburn, WI; his beloved grandchildren Daniel "Fletcher," Grace and Hunter Ament; and many friends of many years. He was preceded in death by his parents: Daniel and Dorothy Ament and his sister Christine. In lieu of flowers, donations to Special Olympics, Planned Parenthood, or Hospice House in Baraboo would be appreciated. A celebration of life will be enjoyed at Baraboo Country Club, Sunday November 19, 2017 from 2 to 5 p.m.