David Bryan Hickerson, 66, a son of Arkansas and defender of the Big Ten, died in his sleep on Feb. 5, 2023 at his new home in Oak Park.
He lived in Hot Springs until his father took a transfer with General Motors to southern Indiana. There he completed high school, playing football, basketball and baseball at Bedford North Lawrence High School. He attended Indiana University, earning a bachelor’s degree from the new School of Public and Environmental Affairs in 1979. He went on to earn a master’s degree (MPA) in labor relations in 1981 and worked for Eastman Kodak in Rochester, New York after graduation. From there, he held various jobs in government affairs, most recently with IBM where he was closely approaching retirement.
His proudest accomplishment was his family. He married his college love, Elin Thorgren, in 1981. They had a son, Sebastian, and a daughter, Isabel, before settling in Oak Park in 1993.
He was predeceased by his parents, Lester and Vivian Hickerson, and his brother, Robert Hickerson.
David is survived by his wife; his son and daughter; and his sister and brother-in-law, Sandi and Joe Jordan.
Memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Zimmerman-Harnett Funeral Home, 7319 W. Madison St., Forest Park with the service beginning at 3.
David was generous, thoughtful, and fiercely devoted to the people and causes he loved. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Feeding America and the American Diabetes Association.
