I am saddened to learn about David Armour's early (to me) death, but 
gladdened to have all the details provided by his widow about this wonderful 
man.
    Most members of the SHA are probably unaware of what an "iffy" 
proposition the future of the society was at its inception.  Finding someone 
to assume the task of editing and overseeing production of an academic 
journal, even if publishing only once yearly, was no small matter.  And if 
memory serves me, which admittedly it seems to do less with each passing 
month, David took on the task pro bono.  He did a wonderful job in trying 
times and successfully launched the journal on the path it has followed to 
the present.  His editorship started with the second issue in 1968.
    I remember David as a kind, gentle, and generous person, one of the few 
academically trained historians who had an abiding interest in archaeology. 
Most professional North American historians in those years tended to regard 
archaeology, if they regarded it at all, as a harmless hobby with nothing 
serious to contribute to an understanding of our recent past.  An historian 
with an interest in archaeology was not on a trajectory to rapid promotionin 
the groves of academe nor, unhappily, likely to be fully acccredited by his 
archaeological colleagues -- nearly all of whom were then trained as 
anthropologists.  It was a measure of David's curiosity, love of learning, 
and enthusiasm that enabled him to tread where few in his position would 
have been willing to do.  And all of us are in his debt.
    Rest in peace, old friend.
    Bunny Fontana


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lynn Evans" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2010 7:47 AM
Subject: in memoriam


> It is with sadness that I share the news of the passing of Dr. David A.
> Armour.  Although he was most known for his work as Deputy Director of
> the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, early members of the SHA will
> remember that he was the editor of Historical Archaeology for several
> years early in the journal's history.  The obituary below was provided
> by his wife, Grace.
>
> Lynn Evans
>
> Obituary of David Arthur Armour
> David A. Armour who was 72 years of age, suffered a long fight with
> cancer was taken to glory by his Lord on April 28, 2010. He was the son
> of Arthur and Marian Bowie Armour from Grove City. He was a loving
> husband, father and Opa to his wife Grace (they celebrated their 50th
> Wedding Anniversary last August), 4 children and 7 grandchildren, Marian
> Armour-Gemmen and Randall, Angelyn and Ellena (Morgantown, WV); Arthur
> Armour and Rebecca Lew, Samuel and John (Portland, OR); David Armour and
> Joanna Tong, David, Keith and Michael (Bellevue, WA); Anneke Myers and
> Matthew (Mackinac Island, MI). Two sisters and one brother, Nancy and
> Doug Johnson (Davidsonville, MD), Tom and Lois Armour (Grove City, PA)
> and Maryann and Al Fearon (Bolivar, OH). His in-laws Alice and Bill
> Heese (Akron, OH), Ed (deceased) and Jan Lootsma (Mystic, CT), Els
> (deceased) and Gys Kooy (Wyckoff, NJ), Wayne Lootsma (deceased), Henry
> and Grace Lootsma (Prospect Park, NJ) and Ann and John Barr
> (Bridgewater, VA) with numerous nieces and nephews.
> He was a servant of the Lord and loved by many who were his brothers
> and sisters in Christ.
> He attended Grove City schools, went on to Calvin College in Grand
> Rapids, MI, attended his Jr. year at the University of London and
> graduated in 1959. He then went on to receive his Masters and Ph.D. in
> History at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. He was on the
> faculty of the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, WI for 4 years.
> David was hired by the Mackinac Island State Historic Parks Commission
> to be the Deputy Director, which position he held for 36 years (Acting
> Director 2 times). He resided along with his family in Lansing and
> spring/summers on Mackinac Island, MI, which he loved and cherished. He
> occasionally taught courses in Colonial American History at Calvin
> College, Grand Rapids, MI.
> He had a ministry with the Hmong Christian Ministry in Grand Ledge and
> Lansing and on Mackinac Island worked with the college students and
> Jamaican workers in leading and participating in their worship services.
> He was an elder at River Terrace Church in East Lansing and later at
> Covenant CRC in Grand Ledge, MI. While living on Mackinac Island he
> attended Trinity Episcopal Church and was on the vestry.
> He is the author of 7 books (three award winning) and 60+ articles and
> book reviews. He restored or reconstructed 40+ historic buildings. He
> obtained and administered $7,000,000+ in grants.
> The following honors were bestowed on him: Michigan Society of
> Architects: Honorary Affiliate Member; Michigan Historic Preservation
> Network – 2002 Building Award; Fort Mackinac Restoration Engineering
> Society of Detroit – Construction and Design Award; Historical Society
> of Michigan Award of Merit for Distinguished Professional Service;
> Michigan Museum Association – President’s Award for Distinguished
> Service to Museums.
> Dr. Armour was the Seminar Director for Smithsonian Journeys
> (Washington, DC) on Mackinac Island for several occasions, the last one
> being in August 2008.
> He was the consultant on numerous and various projects dealing with a
> wide variety of archaeological and historical restorations. He was the
> Editor of Historical Archaeology for 4 years in its very beginnings.
> Upon his retirement in 2003, he received many honors, including the
> Governor Granholm’s attendance and presentation of recognition of his
> outstanding services to the state of Michigan, Michigan Legislature
> Award and the City of Mackinac Island presented by Mayor Doud.
> Along with Grace, he moved back to Grove City in 2004. As a leading
> authority in Colonial American History he taught classes at Grove City
> College and oversaw special historical research by students. He also
> taught history to homeschooled neighborhood children and English to
> foreign exchange students. He was named Adjunct Professor at Grove City
> College in 2007. He enjoyed his fellowship at Covenant OP church and
> loved hosting college students into his home.
> In 2008 he was honored by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission who
> named the Mill Creek Visitors Center in Mackinaw City, MI in his memory,
> “The David A. Armour Visitors Center”, on which he directed
> restoration, re-construction, construction and interpretative projects
> from the very beginning.
> He had a rich life blessed by God. He had a love for all people and was
> loved by many.
> Memorial Services will be held at Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church
> in Grove City on Monday, May 3 at 5:30pm. The family will receive
> friends at their home 432 West Washington Blvd. on Sunday, May 2 from
> 3-5 and 7-9.
> There will also be a memorial service at River Terrace Church in East
> Lansing, MI on Wednesday, May 5 at 4:00pm. The final internment will be
> on Mackinac Island in the spring time with services to be announced at a
> later date.
> In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the following:
> Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church (outreach) 140 East Poplar Street,
> Grove City, PA 16127; Hmong Christian Ministry, 3400 Wainwright Ave.,
> Lansing, MI 48911 or the Mackinac Associates P. O. Box 567, Mackinaw
> City, MI 49701 with the donations going to Mill Creek Park.
> Arrangements are made with Cunningham Funeral Home, Grove City, PA.
>
>
>
>
> Lynn L.M. Evans, Ph.D.
> Curator of Archaeology
> Mackinac State Historic Parks
> P.O. Box 873
> Mackinaw City, MI 49701
> 231-436-4100
> [log in to unmask]