DAVE BLOOMSTRAND MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP | Nancy Bloomstrand

Contact: Nancy Bloomstrand

David “Dave” Vernon Bloomstrand (1938 – 2024) was an Illinois native dedicated to educating and challenging eager young minds ready and willing to learn. Born in Chicago, Dave was the eldest son of Vern and Madge Bloomstrand. Dave grew up among humble surroundings in LaSalle-Peru, Illinois in the 1940s and 50s. Vern worked as a salesman and provided the family with a modest living. But the town, located in the Illinois River Valley was thriving and growing, and Dave benefitted from a solid public education. He graduated from L.P. High School in 1956 and went south to Bloomington, IL to pursue a degree from Illinois State University.

After graduating from ISU in 1960 Dave, along his wife Nancy, spent a few years in and around the Chicago area. Dave taught High School English at Mendota, IL and St. Charles, IL before relocating his young family to Rockford, IL in 1967 and began his collegiate career in the English and Speech Department at Rock Valley College.

Rock Valley College was in its formative years in 1967. At the time Dave joined the college, the English and Speech department headcount was in single digits. The college itself was in its embryonic years, with just the original farmhouse and outbuildings serving as the “campus”. These buildings still exist today and are located next to Starlight Theatre, but are now surrounded by classrooms, art and sports centers, student centers, athletic fields, and administration buildings employing hundreds and educating thousands.

Dave was a big part of the college’s growth. He loved teaching and educated many young minds throughout the years. Over his 29 years career, it is estimated Dave taught over 4000 students. Many of his former students consider Dave to have been their favorite teacher. With so many students benefitting from having Dave as a teacher, it is appropriate his legacy continues for as long as possible and provide fuel to those, like him, who may have had a modest beginning, but had big plans. This scholarship, dedicated to him in his name, reflects and embodies that benefit and all he demonstrated to others in his life and work – nurturing and growing all things.