Cover photo for David Walsh's Obituary
David Walsh Profile Photo
1959 David 2009

David Walsh

January 12, 1959 — July 14, 2009

David was born in Ames, Iowa, on January 12th, 1959. He was the 2nd child of Vernon and Mary Lou Walsh. The family moved to Webb, Iowa, in June, 1959, where David lived until his graduation from South Clay Community High School in May, 1977. He attended college at Iowa State University from 1977 to 1979, and then at the University of Iowa beginning in 1981. He received a Bachelor's degree in Geology in 1984, a Master's in Geology in 1987, and a Master's in Environmental Science in 1990. David worked as a geologist throughout the upper-midwest. He started his career as an environmental geologist with a firm in the Twin Cities, and went on to work as a staff geologist and eventually project manager for firms in Sioux Falls, Topeka, Des Moines, and Omaha. He was working as a geologist and project manager for URS Corporation in Omaha at the time of his death. Outside of work, Dave spent much of his time outdoors, and spent much of his energy on family. The priority of family was evident in his 1992 decision to leave his job in Minnesota and move to Sioux Falls in order to be closer to his parents after his mother Mary Lou was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease. Year after year Dave made regular trips to his parent's home in southwestern Minnesota. In the fall the focus of many of these trips was on pheasant, duck and goose hunting, a lifelong passion. Fishing trips took him further afield; a particular favorite was Savant Lake, Ontario, where he first visited during a family vacation when he was eleven. He returned there numerous times over the years. The walls of his apartment held at least three different maps of the lake, all personalized with Dave's own markings of landmarks and fishing holes. A look at Dave's tackle boxes suggests that he spent as much time preparing to fish as he did actually fishing. Dave was a constant fixture at family get-togethers. If there was a gathering for a holiday, a birthday, a graduation, or any other event, you could count on Dave being there. He loved to play cribbage. He gave the best Christmas presents. He never arrived empty handed. As his sister Cindy said, "Dave brought the fun." He was loved by his parents and siblings and adored by his nieces and nephews. His death was a shock to all, and he will be deeply missed. David Vernon Walsh, 50, of Omaha, Nebraska, died unexpectedly of a heart attack on Tuesday, July 14th, 2009, in Sidney, Nebraska. Dave was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Lou. Survivors include his father Vernon (Verlene) of Lakefield, Minnesota, sister Cindy (John) Wetz, Columbia, Missouri and their children Suzanne, Mary, and Eric, brother Phil (Sharon), Des Moines, Iowa, and their children Katherine and Jason, and sister Nancy, Duluth, MN, and her children Andrew, Ellen, and Erin Motley.
SERVICES
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00p.m., Wednesday, July 22, 2009, at the First Baptist Church in Webb. There will be a lunch served at the United Methodist Church in Webb after the graveside service.
OFFICIATING
Rev. Don Andrews
CASKET BEARERS
Katherine Walsh Jason Walsh Andrew Motley Ellen Motley Erin Motley Suzanne Wetz Mary Wetz Eric Wetz
VISITATION
Visitation will begin after 12 noon until time of service at the church on Wednesday.
MUSIC
Organist - Faith Fogelman Congregational Hymns "Amazing Grace" "Because He Lives"
INTERMENT
Garfield Cemetery Webb, Iowa A memorial fund has been established in his name and can be mailed to Phil Walsh, 120 51st Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50312
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of David Walsh, please visit our flower store.

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