Born in Waverly, Iowa, David and his parents, Paul & Nita and his brothers, Kevin and Erik, moved to St. Peter when he was in the third grade.
His love for tennis started when he and a couple friends began playing in the National Junior Tennis League and attended two Tennis and Life Camps (TLC) at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota while in junior high. With increasing skills, the highlight of his high school career came when the St. Peter tennis team broke the 111 match winning streak of perennial rivals; the Blue Earth Area Bucaneers. The same year, for the first time, the St. Peter team came in second at the State Class AA Tennis Meet, losing to the Bucaneer's this time. Academically, David was second in his class.
Prior to his senior year in high school, David began teaching in the St. Peter Tennis program in the summer of 1987 and managed the program from 1989-1991. From 1988-1994, he was on the staff of TLC, beginning as a counselor, advancing to instructor and then becoming a supervisor. His success in this role convinced him that teaching and coaching was his 'calling.' He absorbed and lived the TLC philosophy and planned on spending his summers at TLC 'forever.'
Graducating from St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN in 1992 with a Mathematics major and focus in education, David's academic achievements included being accepted into Phi Beta Kapppa and earning Magna Cum Laude honors. He was on the varsity tennis team for three years wand was nmed Most Valuable Player in his Junior year and Co-Captain in his Junior and Senior year.
Being a small town person at heart, David thought he was fortunate to teach and coach in Blue Earth, Minnesota. Ironically, the rival school had now become his beloved school. As the students, teacheers, and community members testified in tributes to him before and after ths accident, David not only was an excellent math teacher and tennis coach, but he was a model on how to live life to the fullest each and every day. In the little more than two years David lived in Blue Earth, the tradition of returning the tennis team to state level competition was restablished. As a 25 year old, he was considered to be a veteran teacher.
David approached all activities with intensity, optimism, tenacity, passion and enthusiasm. He was a 'presence' wherever he was; a natural leader who also valued discussions with persons having different philosophies.
David was a master encourager of each person's potential by challenging each person to be the best he/she could be. His positive approach helped promote a self-esteem boost for those who knew him. His curriculum for learning included much humor, patience, love and compassion. He was born to be a teacher.
In the recreational and competitive sports environment, David was intense in competition, always giving his best effort while also being model of sportsmanship, win or lose. He was born to be a coach.
Two of the many 'Dave-isms' capture his philosophy of life. 'There's gold out there! Who wants it?' reflects the belief that opportunities are there for for those who seize the moment. David's signature quote, however,was his greeting to his class and team each day regardless of the weather: 'The grass is green, the sky is blue, It's a great day to be alive." In other words, it's the ordinariness of each day that makes each day a blessing.
His love for tennis started when he and a couple friends began playing in the National Junior Tennis League and attended two Tennis and Life Camps (TLC) at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota while in junior high. With increasing skills, the highlight of his high school career came when the St. Peter tennis team broke the 111 match winning streak of perennial rivals; the Blue Earth Area Bucaneers. The same year, for the first time, the St. Peter team came in second at the State Class AA Tennis Meet, losing to the Bucaneer's this time. Academically, David was second in his class.
Prior to his senior year in high school, David began teaching in the St. Peter Tennis program in the summer of 1987 and managed the program from 1989-1991. From 1988-1994, he was on the staff of TLC, beginning as a counselor, advancing to instructor and then becoming a supervisor. His success in this role convinced him that teaching and coaching was his 'calling.' He absorbed and lived the TLC philosophy and planned on spending his summers at TLC 'forever.'
Graducating from St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN in 1992 with a Mathematics major and focus in education, David's academic achievements included being accepted into Phi Beta Kapppa and earning Magna Cum Laude honors. He was on the varsity tennis team for three years wand was nmed Most Valuable Player in his Junior year and Co-Captain in his Junior and Senior year.
Being a small town person at heart, David thought he was fortunate to teach and coach in Blue Earth, Minnesota. Ironically, the rival school had now become his beloved school. As the students, teacheers, and community members testified in tributes to him before and after ths accident, David not only was an excellent math teacher and tennis coach, but he was a model on how to live life to the fullest each and every day. In the little more than two years David lived in Blue Earth, the tradition of returning the tennis team to state level competition was restablished. As a 25 year old, he was considered to be a veteran teacher.
David approached all activities with intensity, optimism, tenacity, passion and enthusiasm. He was a 'presence' wherever he was; a natural leader who also valued discussions with persons having different philosophies.
David was a master encourager of each person's potential by challenging each person to be the best he/she could be. His positive approach helped promote a self-esteem boost for those who knew him. His curriculum for learning included much humor, patience, love and compassion. He was born to be a teacher.
In the recreational and competitive sports environment, David was intense in competition, always giving his best effort while also being model of sportsmanship, win or lose. He was born to be a coach.
Two of the many 'Dave-isms' capture his philosophy of life. 'There's gold out there! Who wants it?' reflects the belief that opportunities are there for for those who seize the moment. David's signature quote, however,was his greeting to his class and team each day regardless of the weather: 'The grass is green, the sky is blue, It's a great day to be alive." In other words, it's the ordinariness of each day that makes each day a blessing.
Born in Waverly, Iowa, David and his parents, Paul & Nita and his brothers, Kevin and Erik, moved to St. Peter when he was in the third grade.
His love for tennis started when he and a couple friends began playing in the National Junior Tennis League and attended two Tennis and Life Camps (TLC) at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota while in junior high. With increasing skills, the highlight of his high school career came when the St. Peter tennis team broke the 111 match winning streak of perennial rivals; the Blue Earth Area Bucaneers. The same year, for the first time, the St. Peter team came in second at the State Class AA Tennis Meet, losing to the Bucaneer's this time. Academically, David was second in his class.
Prior to his senior year in high school, David began teaching in the St. Peter Tennis program in the summer of 1987 and managed the program from 1989-1991. From 1988-1994, he was on the staff of TLC, beginning as a counselor, advancing to instructor and then becoming a supervisor. His success in this role convinced him that teaching and coaching was his 'calling.' He absorbed and lived the TLC philosophy and planned on spending his summers at TLC 'forever.'
Graducating from St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN in 1992 with a Mathematics major and focus in education, David's academic achievements included being accepted into Phi Beta Kapppa and earning Magna Cum Laude honors. He was on the varsity tennis team for three years wand was nmed Most Valuable Player in his Junior year and Co-Captain in his Junior and Senior year.
Being a small town person at heart, David thought he was fortunate to teach and coach in Blue Earth, Minnesota. Ironically, the rival school had now become his beloved school. As the students, teacheers, and community members testified in tributes to him before and after ths accident, David not only was an excellent math teacher and tennis coach, but he was a model on how to live life to the fullest each and every day. In the little more than two years David lived in Blue Earth, the tradition of returning the tennis team to state level competition was restablished. As a 25 year old, he was considered to be a veteran teacher.
David approached all activities with intensity, optimism, tenacity, passion and enthusiasm. He was a 'presence' wherever he was; a natural leader who also valued discussions with persons having different philosophies.
David was a master encourager of each person's potential by challenging each person to be the best he/she could be. His positive approach helped promote a self-esteem boost for those who knew him. His curriculum for learning included much humor, patience, love and compassion. He was born to be a teacher.
In the recreational and competitive sports environment, David was intense in competition, always giving his best effort while also being model of sportsmanship, win or lose. He was born to be a coach.
Two of the many 'Dave-isms' capture his philosophy of life. 'There's gold out there! Who wants it?' reflects the belief that opportunities are there for for those who seize the moment. David's signature quote, however,was his greeting to his class and team each day regardless of the weather: 'The grass is green, the sky is blue, It's a great day to be alive." In other words, it's the ordinariness of each day that makes each day a blessing.
His love for tennis started when he and a couple friends began playing in the National Junior Tennis League and attended two Tennis and Life Camps (TLC) at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota while in junior high. With increasing skills, the highlight of his high school career came when the St. Peter tennis team broke the 111 match winning streak of perennial rivals; the Blue Earth Area Bucaneers. The same year, for the first time, the St. Peter team came in second at the State Class AA Tennis Meet, losing to the Bucaneer's this time. Academically, David was second in his class.
Prior to his senior year in high school, David began teaching in the St. Peter Tennis program in the summer of 1987 and managed the program from 1989-1991. From 1988-1994, he was on the staff of TLC, beginning as a counselor, advancing to instructor and then becoming a supervisor. His success in this role convinced him that teaching and coaching was his 'calling.' He absorbed and lived the TLC philosophy and planned on spending his summers at TLC 'forever.'
Graducating from St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN in 1992 with a Mathematics major and focus in education, David's academic achievements included being accepted into Phi Beta Kapppa and earning Magna Cum Laude honors. He was on the varsity tennis team for three years wand was nmed Most Valuable Player in his Junior year and Co-Captain in his Junior and Senior year.
Being a small town person at heart, David thought he was fortunate to teach and coach in Blue Earth, Minnesota. Ironically, the rival school had now become his beloved school. As the students, teacheers, and community members testified in tributes to him before and after ths accident, David not only was an excellent math teacher and tennis coach, but he was a model on how to live life to the fullest each and every day. In the little more than two years David lived in Blue Earth, the tradition of returning the tennis team to state level competition was restablished. As a 25 year old, he was considered to be a veteran teacher.
David approached all activities with intensity, optimism, tenacity, passion and enthusiasm. He was a 'presence' wherever he was; a natural leader who also valued discussions with persons having different philosophies.
David was a master encourager of each person's potential by challenging each person to be the best he/she could be. His positive approach helped promote a self-esteem boost for those who knew him. His curriculum for learning included much humor, patience, love and compassion. He was born to be a teacher.
In the recreational and competitive sports environment, David was intense in competition, always giving his best effort while also being model of sportsmanship, win or lose. He was born to be a coach.
Two of the many 'Dave-isms' capture his philosophy of life. 'There's gold out there! Who wants it?' reflects the belief that opportunities are there for for those who seize the moment. David's signature quote, however,was his greeting to his class and team each day regardless of the weather: 'The grass is green, the sky is blue, It's a great day to be alive." In other words, it's the ordinariness of each day that makes each day a blessing.
Inscription
BORN TO BE A TEACHER
BROTHERS OF KEVIN....
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
