He helped bring DiMaggio, Mays and Rose to Galesburg. Remembering David Beversdorf

David Beversdorf

A man known for bringing a handful of Major League Baseball hall of famers to Galesburg has died.

David Beversdorf was a longtime organizer of a local baseball card and sports memorabilia show that helped bring stars like Joe DiMaggio, Willie Mays, Pete Rose and Ozzie Smith to Galesburg in the 1980s. Beversdorf, who battled Parkinson’s disease, died Saturday, Sept. 24 in OSF St. Mary Medical Center. He was 83.

Beversdorf is well-known as one of the most successful fundraisers for charities and organizations in Galesburg history.

Obituary: David D. Beversdorf June 23, 1939 ~ September 24, 2022

He was president of the booster club at Carl Sandburg College, where he learned the art of raising money.  He took his skills to Galesburg High School, where he spearheaded numerous fund-raising efforts that totaled over $500,000. He is a member of the Galesburg Athletic Hall of Fame.

Over the years, Beversdorf worked to raise funds for churches, mainly through organizing and promoting country gospel concerts.  He was a co-founder and volunteer with the Defenders of Freedom Veterans Home.  He also was a youth athletic coach for many years, was a Streaks Dad at GHS North, and volunteered with the Galesburg Rescue Mission.

Born in Iron Mountain, Michigan, Beversdorf moved to Galesburg in 1975, where took a job in human resources with the Admiral Corporation. He retired from Maytag in December 2002.

He is survived by his wife of over 61 years, Diane; children, Scott D. Beversdorf of Owatonna, Minnesota; Andy E. Beversdorf of Wichita, Kansas, and Becky E. Veasey of Bourbonnais, Illinois; seven grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren.

Memorial service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church. Church doors will open at 12:30 p.m. There will be a time for visiting and fellowship at a luncheon following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Rock Steady Boxing, or the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

  

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