David P. Hermanson, 65, died of cancer Tuesday, March 20, 2001 at Kaiser Foundation Hospital in San Diego.

Mr. Hermanson was born in 1935 on a farm near Ruthven, Iowa. He attended a rural school as one of 12 students for seven years. In high school, he lettered in football, baseball and basketball for four years, and was class president for three years.

He earned a bachelor’s degree at Simpson College at age 19, majoring in English and history. He received master’s degrees from Harvard and Stanford universities and a doctorate from U.S. International University.

He had been a social studies teacher and counselor at Mission Bay, Kearny, Point Loma and Patrick Henry high schools, and coached tennis and baseball at the high school level.

Mr. Hermanson retired in 1995 after coordinating the San Diego Unified School District’s Gifted and Talented Education program for 25 years.

He spent his summers in Idyllwild for 25 years and lived here part-time for the past four years.

No services are scheduled.

Mr. Hermanson is survived by his wife, Judith; a daughter, Marden Duffy of Chatham, N.J.; a son, David Peter Hermanson of San Diego; two sisters, Ruth Ann Sayre of Park Ridge, Ill. and Vera Ziegler of Silvis, Ill.; two brothers, Richard Hermanson of Milford, Iowa and Andrew Hermanson of Ruthven, Iowa; and three grandchildren.

The family suggests donations in his name may be made to Gateways, P.O. Box 22105, San Diego, CA 92192.