David Henderson, age 81, of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, passed on January 23, 2024 at home with his wife, Gail (nee Kulk), and daughters, Erin Keck and Liz Russell by his side. David lived with strength and love until his last breath.

David was born to Robert and Bernice (Raasch) Henderson in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1942 and moved to Wauwatosa in 1952, where he went on to graduate from Wauwatosa East High School and earn an undergraduate degree from Carroll University in Waukesha. Discovering a love of learning and education, David pursued a second degree in geology from UW-Milwaukee and a doctorate in education from Indiana University. He then served as the assistant dean of students at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and Oklahoma State University.

David married Gail in 1966 and they eventually settled in Mequon, Wisconsin with their daughters. David became an owner of the Milwaukee Wellness Clinic and focused on his work as a psychotherapist for over 30 years. During this time, David was an active member of the St. Andrew's Society of Milwaukee and an early organizer of the Milwaukee Highland Games, which allowed him to celebrate his family's Scottish heritage.

David then turned to consulting, working with businesses, churches, schools, and nonprofit organizations to improve organizational culture and support transformative systems change. While he enjoyed all the groups he worked with, his time doing community building workshops with the Public Allies of Wisconsin held a special place in his heart. David also spent time consulting for IBM in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, and grew to love those parts of the world.

In his younger years, David had a strong spiritual calling and briefly enrolled in Princeton Theological Seminary. He ultimately used that calling later in life, working with the Presbytery of Milwaukee, delivering sermons at various churches, volunteering with Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church's Divine Intervention program, and being a founding member of Stony Hills Presbyterian Church and an active member of Good Shephard-Trinity Presbyterian Church. Towards the end of his career, David returned to teaching, leading a graduate course in professional consulting at Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

David was happiest at the hobby farm he shared with Gail in Hartford for over 20 years. The farm became a gathering place for David's friends and family, a favorite spot for his four grandchildren, and the site of many barn parties and weddings. David delighted in driving the Model A John Deere tractor that he restored around the property, making improvements to the buildings, and tinkering in his workshop.

However, David's favorite place and second home was the family cabin in Door County, Wisconsin, which was built by his grandparents. He spent much of his life in Door County, fishing, sailing, exploring, and appreciating everything in the area, along with fixing everything that broke at the cabin. He and his signature red Willys Jeep will be deeply missed by the North Bay community.

David also loved traveling with Gail on their BMW motorcycle. As members of the Wisconsin BMW Motorcycle Club, David and Gail traveled Wisconsin, Canada, and the West and Midwest of America by motorcycle. During these travels, David discovered and grew to love the beauty of Ring Lake Ranch in Dubois, Wyoming, where he spent multiple visits working, riding horses, and enjoying fellowship.

David is survived and will forever be missed by his wife, Gail; his daughters, Erin and Liz; his four grandchildren, Addy and Crosby Russell and Elysse and J.C. Keck; his sons-in-law, James Keck and Joe Russell; his brother, Robert Henderson; his nephew Ky Henderson; and his niece, Karen La Vetter. His kindness, compassion, humor, and wisdom will further be missed by his extended family and the many friends and colleagues he gained during his life.

A remembrance for David will be held at Eernisse Funeral Home, 1167 Washington Ave. in Cedarburg, on Thursday, February 8, 2024, with a visitation from 4:00-5:30 and an invitation for all to share memories and stories of David from 5:30-6:30.

Memorials may be directed to the annual fund at Ring Lake Ranch (ringlake.org), Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church's Divine Intervention program (tippechurch.org); and Public Allies of Milwaukee (PublicAllies.org/Wisconsin/).

David's family would like to thank Destinie, his wonderful in-home care provider, along with his hospice nurses and social worker. We are grateful for the care and assistance they provided during David's final months.