David Wiegand

David Wiegand was a man who always put others first. He put his country first, his family first, and his friendship first, first in his life, and in his heart. Thats the way Dave was, a man of such passion and principle, of character and compassion for the people around him. Dave was a loving father, grandfather and friend, a good man, and an even better example. Daves story began on a warm summer day in 1940, as the seasons began to change in the shoreline city of Muskegon, Michigan. Those were anxious times in this country, which watched as the world waged war yet again, still more than a year away from entering the fray. On September 9, 1940, George and Elizabeth (Marvin) Wiegand celebrated the birth of a baby boy, a son they named David Bruce. Dave was the baby of four children in the familys Muskegon home, joining his big siblings James, Richard and Nancy. His dad worked as a truck driver for a local shipping company, and later became self-employed for some of the time, while his mother worked as a clerk at Walgreens Drug Store. Dave was a very quiet boy, and a very private person even at a young age. He was born with an inquisitive mind, however, and he was in constant search to the answer to his questions about the world. Dave was an avid reader and gifted writer (and a great speller, as well), and received high marks in school as a result. Dave always dreamed of becoming a sportswriter one day, and read the Muskegon Chronicle cover-to-cover after school every night. He was a great young athlete, loved sports, and was a Boy Scout, too. Dave attended Muskegon High School for a time, before transferring to Muskegon Heights High School, where he graduated in 1958. That same year, the avid writer took second place in the Readers Digest Merit Award. Yet his life would be led far from pen and paper, and never between the lines. Dave graduated during a tumultuous time in this country, which was battling the Cold War, and watching as Southeast Asia became very unstable. Wanting to do his part and serve his country, Dave enlisted in the United States Air Force shortly after he graduated. Dave proudly served his country, and when that service ended, he returned home to Muskegon, anxious to begin a new chapter in his life. He met a young woman named Kaye Porter, they began dating, and were soon married. It wasnt long before the newlyweds became parents, as well, with the birth of their first child, daughter Julie, in 1966. Stacie followed in 1968, and their son Troy rounded out the family in 1972. Knowing the amount of travel required to become a successful sportswriter, Dave abandoned his childhood dream, seeking a more stable, steady career to provide for his family. He went to work as a machinist at Johnson Products and Sealed Power Hy-Lift, where he would remain all of his career. While many men chase their dreams and their careers above all else, Dave put his family first, his children first, and chose a career that was best for them. Thats not to say, though, that Dave was all work and no play. Being the lifelong sports fan he was, Dave played on softball and basketball leagues for many years, and loved his golf leagues at Fruitport Golf Club, Chase Hammonds, and Oylers Golf Club, too. Dave also put his community first, and generously donated his time to many organizations. He volunteered to help the Easter Seals, Camp Emory, Substance Abuse organizations and many others. Dave was a non-confrontational guy, and didnt want to discuss politics or religion, he only wanted to help, any way he could. Dave could, however, express himself beautifully in his writings, and was a significant letter-writer, who wrote letters to the editor of the Muskegon Chronicle quite often. His letters received special placement, complete with the tag, As the Public Sees It, for civic-minded stories. Daves marriage to Kaye ended after many years together, though his commitment and love for his kids never wavered. He was very influential in their lives, he was a familiar face at every Orchard View sporting event. From football to girls and boys basketball, track, swimming, and marching band. Family always came first with Dave, and he considered his brothers, sister and cousins to be friends as well as family. Dave eventually retired from Sealed Power Hy-Lift in 1995, after 33 years there. He found plenty to keep him busy in retirement, from watching sports on TV, to playing golf, to taking in the arts and culture in West Michigan, which he always had an appreciation for. When his grandkids began arriving, Dave couldnt have been prouder or more thrilled, and seeing them always brightened his days. Dave was a very rational person, full of common sense and compassion for his fellow man, a very generous, giving person. He was never one concerned with material things, a man content to share what he had with his friends and family. As the years progressed, Dave began having some health issues, and began battling an illness for a long time. Sadly, it was a battle he lost on Saturday, October 4, 2008, at Mercy Hospital at the age of 68. Dave was such a wonderful man, who lived a wonderful life, a life devoted to his country, his community, and his family. Dave was a man who always put the people around him first in his life, and in his heart, as a loving father, grandfather and friend. Today his love, and his life, lives on in all who knew him. He will be greatly missed. Dave is survived by his two daughters, Julie (Jamie) Rameau, Stacie Lee Wiegand; son, Troy David Wiegand; 3 grandchildren, Matthew David (Lindsey) Wiegand, Katherine Kaye and Joshua James Crocker;1 brother, Richard "Dick" Wiegand of Grand Haven; 2 very special cousins, Keith (Linda) Wiegand of Spring Lake and Cookie (Ron) Evanauski and many other close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, James Walker and one sister and best friend, Nancy Schmiege. Services are scheduled for Wednesday, October 8, 2008, 1:00 PM at Clock Chapel. Visitation is Tuesday, October 7, 2008, 2-4 & 6-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please consider the American Kidney Foundation. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or sign the online guest book.