You'll be here in our hearts, always.

Edge's Obituary. A life well lived. You will be missed!

Dr. David Edgerly

On July 19, 2011, the community suffered the acute loss of a beloved and celebrated husband, son, teacher, mentor, colleague, friend.

Dr. Dave Edgerly, Quincy University assistant professor of psychology, is well remembered for his foresight, compassion, and never-waning consideration for others, not to mention his sometimes shoeless, sometimes booted, often sneakered feet. His infectious laughter and ease with life both inspired and brought pleasure to many in the various worlds he inhabited, from California, to Idaho, to Illinois, whether he donned a hat or not. Through the various manifestations of the professions that he chose (or that chose him), early as a clinical psychologist and subsequently as a professor, and the interactions he had, from the merest to the dearest, his profound ability to connect with the minds and hearts of people was readily apparent, and continually admired and appreciated.

While practicing as a clinical psychologist in Boise, Idaho, Dave healed and encouraged, and the effects of that healing are ever present. His passion for teaching began while teaching at Boise Bible College and College of Idaho. After leaving Boise, Dave served as professor and faculty athletic representative at Quincy University, where he was unassuming and accessible, and therefore was regularly sought for his knowledge and insight through his often open door.

Dave received his bachelor of science degree in psychology from Northwest Nazarene College (1976), his master's degree in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary (1980) and his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Fuller Graduate School of Psychology (1984). While at Fuller, Dave was the honored first recipient of the John P. Davis Memorial Scholarship Award for being the most outstanding student in demonstrating commitment to the idea that what matters most in being a psychologist is who you are as a person.

As a teacher at QU and at Quincy Notre Dame High School, Dave strove to hold students' dreams until students could begin to not only imagine, but realize those dreams for themselves. His fierce dedication in doing so made him a genuinely cherished teacher, as was made evident by his being selected by the entire student body to be the recipient of QU's annual Excellence in Teaching Award (2006), as well as his being selected by the then-graduating student body as the keynote speaker at QU's 2009 commencement ceremony.

Dave was an exemplary human being first, which caused his many other gifts to follow naturally.

Dave is survived by those he treasured, his wife, Dr. Chelona Edgerly; his mother, Betty Edgerly, and the countless grateful recipients of his penetrating love and spirit. Dave's life was defined by his spiritual journey, and to know him was to accept an open invitation to sojourn to the center of your own human nature.