David Ray Brewster

David was born July 11, 1951 to Fred Lee Brewster and Wilma Charlotte Phelps Brewster at Great Lakes Naval Hospital, Great Lakes, IL.

He was raised in Chicago, IL and was an All City standout in baseball, basketball and football at Tuley High School. Among numerous other awards & accolades he was nominated for the Knute Rockne Award for football in 1969. He was coached by Illinois Hall of Fame baseball coach Rich Tomoleoni, who became a lifelong mentor and friend.

David was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds organization but decided instead to further his education at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL while also playing semi-pro baseball for the Chicago Stars from 1969-1972.  At NIU, David played baseball and every intramural sport possible as a proud member of his Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. His sophomore year he ran across campus to ask a pretty blonde named Lisa White - who would become the love of his life - out on a date.

The summer after graduation in 1973, David and Lisa drove to visit Lisa’s parents who had recently relocated from Illinois to Wilmington, N.C. They enjoyed the beach and warm weather so much they decided to stay and find jobs teaching rather than moving back to the Chicago winters. In 1974 David was hired by Leon Brogden to teach and coach three sports at D.C. Virgo Middle School. He and Lisa married on April 13, 1974.

In 1976 David became a US History teacher and an assistant football and baseball coach at New Hanover High School, where he would remain until he retired. Upon Coach Buck Hardee’s retirement in 1988, David turned a historically successful baseball program into a national powerhouse. Under his leadership, New Hanover would go on to win 6 Conference Championships and 2 State Championships. Between 1993-1996, they would be consistently ranked #1 in the nation, finishing in the top 10 each year. He earned 4 Conference Coach of the Year and Regional Coach of the Year awards and was North Carolina Coach of the Year in 1993 & 1994, the same years he was nominated for National Coach of the Year. David also helmed the American Legion Post 10 team during this time period and led the team to State Championships in 1994 & 1995 and the Southeastern Regional Championship Runner up in 1994 & 1995. He was inducted into the NC American Legion Hall of Fame in 2013.  

David could remember specifics about every player and student he ever coached or taught. He took great pride in their successes on the field and in the classroom but was always most proud of their accomplishments off the field as good spouses, parents, and members of their communities.

David loved hunting, going out on the boat, spending time with his family and his dog “Coach.” He could be an intimidating presence but was loving and warm with a generous heart and a great sense of humor. He was competitive and had a fighting spirit that enabled him to defy every prediction and statistic that said he would only survive a few weeks. He was a devoted life partner and a beloved father who will be missed beyond measure.  His small grandchildren adored their “Big Brew” and he delighted in every minute with them.

David is predeceased by his parents, father-in-law Richard White & step father-in-law Terrance Finch. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Lisa; children Ashley Brewster Goodell & husband Gavin, Eric Brewster & partner, Ashley Batten, and Anna Brewster Miller & husband Russell; grandchildren Saylor Grace & Holton Banks Batten, Charlotte Rose &Preston Brewster Miller, all of Wilmington.  He is additionally survived by his mother-in-law Tyke Finch of Wilmington; sister-in-law Lori White and husband Larry Edmondson; brothers-in-law Eric White and wife Elsa, and John White and wife Stacey; sisters Karen Hatfield and husband Ron and Freddie Brewster; loved by numerous nieces and nephews as well as beloved extended family in New Zealand.

The family would like to thank Dr. Gerard Blobe at Duke, Dr. Andrew Schrieber, and Dr. Scott Visser as well as the many nurses and medical staff at Duke and NHRMC. They would especially like to thank Dr. William P. Nixon for his invaluable time, counsel, and advice throughout the last 2 years.

Visitation will be on Sunday, January 5, from 4-7 pm at Andrews Mortuary Valley Chapel. A Memorial Service will be held Monday, January 6, at 2 pm at Wrightsville United Methodist Church, with a reception immediately following in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to David Brewster’s personal fundraising page for Pancreatic Cancer Network at http://support.pancan.org