David Shotwell Scarrow

David Shotwell Scarrow, age 97, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away after a brief illness. David, eldest son of Edith and Carman Scarrow, was born and raised in Detroit alongside his brother and best friend Howard. In his youth, David’s progressive ideals and love for choir singing were nurtured by Detroit’s Central Methodist Church and by summers spent in Bay View, a Chautauqua community near Petoskey. David served in the U.S. Army in Italy at the end of WW II and was the first in his family to attend college (Duke University), subsequently earning a PhD in Philosophy at Harvard University. David met his future wife, Janet Sellman, at a young adult retreat of Harvard-Epworth Methodist Church; they were married in 1953. He taught philosophy at Boston University and Smith College before joining the faculty of Kalamazoo College in 1961. David devoted the rest of his academic career to “K”, actively promoting liberal arts ideals and building the academic community. He delighted in classical music both as a participant (singing in Kalamazoo’s Bach Festival Chorus for over 50 years) and an audience member. From 1991-2023, David once again summered in Bay View. There he served with Janet as Education Program Co-director in the late 1990s and led efforts to establish the American Experience lecture series, the Friday Forum on current issues, and the July 4 reading of the Declaration of Independence.

David’s children Robert and Susan, grandson Samuel, and daughter-in-law Hilary Barrett remember him for his loving support and infectious sense of gratitude. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Kiva, Friendship Village, Kalamazoo, 2 pm May 30, followed in July by a memorial service in Bay View.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes (901 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49001) or the Bay View Music Scholarship Fund (PO Box 583, Petoskey, MI, 49770, memo: scholarship).

While visiting David’s webpage at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please sign the guestbook and/or share a memory with the family.

The family is being assisted by Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Home; 120 S. Woodhams St. Plainwell, MI 49080 (269-685-5881).