Locke, who passed away in 2025, made the endowment to the school in honor of his mother, Catherine Locke Livermore, who had been a teacher.

According to her 1994 obituary, Catherine Locke Livermore was born in Escanaba around 1901. Her son, David, was born on April 7, 1929.

Locke Livermore probably began her teaching career around 1926, estimated current EAPS Superintendent Coby Fletcher, based on records from 1937 stating she had 11 years of experience.

She taught in the Escanaba Area Public Schools for much of her career and became an elementary principal in 1945. Locke Livermore kept the principal role until her retirement in 1963.

Dr. David Millard Locke, distinguished professor and son of an Escanaba schoolteacher, left $3.65 million dollars to Escanaba Area Public Schools students in the form of scholarships. (Daily Press file photo)

In her later days, she moved to Florida, where she became involved in the Ocala Garden Club. Livermore passed away in 1994.

Her son, David, graduated from Escanaba High School in 1947. His senior profile stated that he “likes to tinker with his chemistry set” and hoped to become a research chemist.

Locke pursued his dream and was successful in many endeavors. Over the course of his life, he became recognized as a distinguished educator, researcher, and mentor to future scientists. His career saw him associated with the Illinois Institute of Technology, the University of Chicago and the University of Florida.

The distinguished professor Locke died on March 7, 2025 in Gainesville, Fla.

“His commitment to academic excellence and mentorship left an indelible mark on both colleagues and students alike. Prior to his tenure at the University of Florida, he held a faculty position at the University of Chicago, where he also contributed significantly to his field,” reads his obituary published by a funeral home in Florida. “Dr. Locke is remembered not only for his intellectual contributions but also for his unwavering support and kindness towards those who had the privilege of knowing him.”

This picture of the man who recently donated over three million dollars to Escanaba Area Public Schools for education scholarships was printed in the Daily Press in 1947, when David Locke himself was on the honor roll and was awarded a scholarships upon his high school graduation. (Daily Press file)

Though Fletcher died in early 2025, it wasn’t until more recently that documents detailing his last wishes were found.

“The handwritten will outlining Dr. Locke’s plans for his estate was found by chance on a stack of papers after his death,” shared Fletcher. “Dr. Locke asked a neighbor with whom he played chess (another thing his senior yearbook bio notes he enjoyed) to act as his executor, and the neighbor had no idea the estate was so valuable.  It took nearly a year to dispose of all the assets and transfer the funds.”

As part of his wishes, scholarships will be created at EAPS in memory of his mother, Catherine Locke Livermore, who worked in education for nearly forty years.

“The scholarships will be awarded to well-rounded graduating seniors of high academic standing to enable them to attend the college or university of their choice, with preference to be given to students who intend to pursue a career in education,” read a press release from EAPS.

“I’m amazed at the generosity of the people of Escanaba,” said Escanaba High School Principal Andy Doutree. “Even after all these years, Dr. Locke thought about the place where he started his educational journey and the school district to which his mother dedicated her professional life. His gift will benefit Escanaba graduates for generations to come.”

Several other documents also came into the light — Fletcher says he has copies of Locke’s academic record.

“In career experience, (Locke’s) record lists two years as a ‘paper peddler,’ and in notable excursions it mentions a trip to Buffalo, NY.

“All in all, it’s simply fascinating,” Fletcher said. “He’s raised in Escanaba from the age of one by a single mother who, at the time, was making the princely sum of around $1200 per year.  Over 90 years later, he donated half of his estate back to the EAPS in his mother’s memory in the amount of $3.65 million, which will benefit students in perpetuity. What an amazing story!”

Scholarships at EAPS are given out once per year during Honors Assembly. The district stated in a release that they proud to provide what is one of the largest public-school-operated scholarship programs in the country. The program has operated for well over half a century, currently has $9 million under management and disburses over $600 thousand annually to graduating seniors.

There are already existing scholarships for education, but they reportedly are much smaller than the one that will be given in memory of Locke Livermore.

“The number and amounts of scholarships this funding (from Locke) will provide are yet to be determined,” Fletcher reported. “We anticipate the donation will generate an additional $150 to $175 thousand in additional scholarships per year.”

He said that one of the reasons graduates from Escanaba tend to be successful in college “is the scholarship program, which opens doors for our students that might otherwise have seemed like

an impossible barrier. We owe much of this success to people like Dr. Locke.”