Daniel Russell Tatman

D. Russell Tatman Professional Engineer Daniel Russell Tatman (Russ) passed into God’s loving arms on June 9th, 2020 after a brave battle with cancer. Born in Wilmington, DE to Daniel and Ima Jean (Jarrell) Tatman, Russ leaves behind his loving family: wife Cathy (Van Bergen); children Betsy Mitchell, Julie (Tim) Collins, Kevin Broomell (Jack Anderson); grandchildren Ryan, Elsie, Brady, and Dylan; as well as his siblings Wayne (Pat), David (Judy d.2013), and Ima Jean (Steve) Smith, and numerous nieces and nephews. Russ grew up working at his father’s hardware store, Clark & Tatman, in Wilmington. He graduated from A.I. du Pont High School in 1954. He earned Bachelor and Master degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Delaware. After serving his ROTC commitment as an Army Second Lieutenant during the Cuban Missile Crisis, he enjoyed a 50-plus year career as a professional engineer. In 1975, Russ became a founding partner of the consulting engineering firm Tatman & Lee Associates, Inc. The firm received Delaware’s Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Environmental Achievement in 1987. Russ was recognized as Delaware Civil Engineer of the Year in 2002 and Delaware Engineer of the Year in 2008. In Wilmington Russ served as Chairman of the Board of Ursuline Academy and was a board member of the Wilmington Rotary Club. Since retiring in Lewes, Russ has served the community on boards including The Historic Lewes Byway Committee, The Board of Adjustments & Appeals for Building Construction, The Children’s Beach House, the Lewes Yacht Club, and most recently as a founding member of the Lewes Junction Railroad & Bridge Association. Russ approached all projects he undertook with a keen analytical mind and cheerful optimism. Whether it was engineering a solution for a client, volunteering on a board or committee, or learning to dance, he dedicated himself completely to the task. Friends and coworkers marveled at how hard he worked to get things done and to leave a place better than he found it. His honesty and strength of character inspired others to rise to his level. Nowhere was his devotion more profound than with his family. After deciding to take a few dance classes with Cathy for his daughter’s wedding, Russ expanded his interest into a passion for ballroom dancing that he and Cathy enjoyed immensely for the rest of his life. He would shoulder any burden, drive any distance, or read any book his grandchildren requested – regardless of whether he could pronounce the names of the characters. A truly great man, Russ will be sorely missed by his loving family, his dear friends, and the many people whose lives he touched. His memory will be in our hearts forever. A Funeral Mass at St. Edmond Catholic Church in Rehoboth Beach, DE and interment at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Cemetery in Wilmington, DE are private. A celebration of his life will be held in the future. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the D. Russell Tatman Memorial Fund of The Greater Lewes Foundation (https://greaterlewesfoundation.org/contribute/). Arrangements in the care of Short Funeral Services, Milton.