D.A. Weber, Former Head of Teachers Union, Dies

D.A. “Del” Weber, who was president of the 240,000-member California Teachers Assn. for four years and a political maverick, died Wednesday at his home in Huntington Beach of unknown causes. He was 65.

“Del Weber was one of the most decent people I have ever known,” said current CTA President Lois Tinson. “He devoted his entire life to helping children, both as a teacher for over 40 years and as a foster parent of more than a dozen troubled youngsters.”

Weber, a former computer teacher, was president of the powerful teachers union from June 1991 until June 1995. During his tenure, he spearheaded the CTA’s successful opposition to the 1993 school voucher initiative, Proposition 174.

He also was unafraid of standing up for what he thought was right, including his support as a registered Republican of then-Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton’s candidacy for president in 1992, and his criticism as outgoing CTA president of bilingual education programs.

In 1992, Weber joined seven other prominent Orange County Republicans, including Orange County Supervisor Harriett M. Wieder, home developer Kathryn Thompson, and Western Digital Corp. Chairman Roger W. Johnson, who split GOP ranks to support Clinton.

Born in North Dakota, Weber got his first teaching job in a one-room schoolhouse in Wyoming at age 19. His teaching career was interrupted in 1951 when he was drafted into the Army. He served in the Korean War.

Weber came to California in 1957. He became active in the teachers union in Orange County, chairing the negotiating team for the Anaheim Secondary Teachers Assn. He later became president of the organization.

Weber was elected to the CTA Board of Directors in 1972, becoming vice president in 1986. He ran unopposed for president in both 1991 and 1993.

He is survived by four children and seven adopted children.