Atwater’s Dave Honey, a longtime board trustee for the local high school district, has died.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the loss of Merced Union High School District (MUHSD) family member Dave Honey,” stated a press release sent to the Times on Tuesday before press time.
A longtime Atwater resident, Honey served on the Board of Trustees for 20 years (1997-2018) and was a fixture for many years at Atwater High — first as an instructor and later as the Dean of Student Services overseeing student activities and athletics.
While building a top-tier sports program at Atwater High, Honey was a champion for gender equality and led a movement that provided opportunities for all students. For his efforts, he was recognized by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) earning Sportsman of the Year.
In 2012, the Atwater High football field was named “Dave Honey Stadium” in his honor.
During his tenure on the Board, Honey was an avid supporter of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and helped shape the early stages of the district’s highly-touted CTE Program. He was also instrumental in the planning Atwater’s second high school, Buhach Colony High.
“MUHSD wouldn’t be where it is today without Dave Honey,” said MUHSD Superintendent Alan Peterson. “At MUHSD we talk a lot about making an impact with students, and while many referred to Dave as “Mr. Atwater”, his impact was felt district and county-wide.”
Look for more details on Dave Honey’s life and information about any future funeral services in next week’s edition of the Times.