Huntley, IL - David R. Aitken III, age 76, of Huntley, IL, died on Monday, June 8, 2015.

David was born in Maryville, Tennessee, on January 26, 1939. He attended Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire, and received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville.

David worked for Sears, many years across the southern states, and then in corporate headquarters in the Sears Tower. In Chicago, David served as president of the board of the Griffin Theatre Company and sang with the Edgewater Singers.

David loved working with tools and his hands. At his cabin in Wisconsin, he cultivated the land, reaped the benefits, and canned jams, sweet pickles, beans, and other vegetables. An avid reader, David was an enthusiast, in love with music, the written word, the natural world and Diane. He loved to carve Halloween pumpkins with his Nebraska grandchildren each year. David shared his love of music, theatre, literature and the Wisconsin great outdoors with his grandchildren. He played the tuba in the Sun City Concert band in Huntley.

David is survived by his wife Diane J. Aitken, his sister and brother-in-law Annie and Harold Trauernicht. He is survived by his three children and spouses - Rodger and Catherine Aitken, James and Valentina Mironova Aitken, and Mary and James Hayes and two step children and spouses Steven and Kathryn Burns, and Kenneth Burns and Ereck Jarvis. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren: David Aitken V, Zachary Aitken, Wiley Burns, Katie Burns, Christopher Hayes, Jacob Hayes, Jennifer Hayes, and Regina Aitken. He is also survived by two great grandchildren Keegan Hull and Kennedy Hull. His grandchildren were the light in his eye that shined brightest when he was able to impart his wisdom and love of nature.

He was preceded in death by his parents David and Hazel Aitken. Also preceded by his grandson Bryan Hull.

Private family services will be held.

Memorial gifts may be made to American Players Theatre, P. O. Box 819, Spring Green, Wisconsin 53544.