Dr. David R. Green

David R. Green
David Royle Green was born in Audubon, MN, on May 20, 1931. He was the only child of Iver and Ethelyn “Eddy” Orstad Green, who ran a general store. He was confirmed at First Lutheran Church and attended high school in Fargo, ND. He married Marilyn Olson, from Havre, MT, on July 24, 1955.
After graduating from Concordia College, David served in the Army during the Korean War with the Counter Intelligence Service in Tokyo, Japan. He earned his Master’s degree in French from Northwestern University, was awarded a Fulbright scholarship in France, received a diploma from the University of Paris Sorbonne, and earned his doctorate at the University of Minnesota.
Joining the faculty at Concordia College, David served as chair of the Modern Languages Department and as one of the first directors of the Concordia Language Villages. He initiated the teaching assistant program and French House, led May seminars to France, and co-created the International Business major. He was selected president of the Minnesota Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. Governor Arne Carlson later appointed him to the State of Minnesota Board of Teaching. Yet, “Professor Green” was dedicated above all to Concordia’s mission and to his students.
David’s community work included serving as president of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Moorhead and Cormorant Lutheran Church in Cormorant, MN. He worked on public school task forces and volunteered in developmental programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities. With Rotary, David was president of the Moorhead chapter and Governor of Rotary District 5580. In recognition for his work with Rotary’s “Polio-plus” program, David was selected for the “Service Above Self Award” – Rotary International’s highest award.
For those who knew him best, “Dave” lived his faith and loved his family and friends – especially his lake family, ski trip friends, and golf buddies. He enjoyed traveling overseas and exploring foreign cultures. He loved most any sporting event and was the voice of Concordia football games for many years. He loved to tease, was known for his “Ole and Lene” jokes, and was the last person to leave church every Sunday morning. And, he loved his chocolate.
David died on Sunday, April 27, 2014, in Grand Forks, ND. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marilyn; two daughters, Maria Green Cowles Adam Cowles in Bethesda, MD, and Rebecca Green David Zola in Grand Forks, ND; three granddaughters, Annika Cowles, Mykaela Zola, and Merete Cowles. Memorials may be sent to the David R. Green Scholarship at Concordia College or Cormorant Lutheran Church.
A social gathering of David’s family and friends will be held at Cormorant Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall on Friday, May 9, at 6:30 P.M.
The Celebration of Life will be at Cormorant Lutheran Church on Saturday, May 10, at 2 P.M.
Interment will be in the Cormorant Lutheran Church Cemetery.