Of Colgate, Wisconsin. Passed away peacefully and without pain, held by his wife, with family at his side on October 10, 2022 at the age of 67, after a hard fought 9 ½ month battle with lung cancer. Beloved husband and best friend of Michele for 44 years. Loving father of Adam, Michael, Paul (Rachel), and grandfather of Ethan. Brother of Dennis, and Nancy Sosha (Jim). Special uncle of Joe (Susan), Chris Sosha, Jeff (Kim), great uncle of Katelyn Passineau (Paul) and Allison, and great great uncle of Rhett Passineau.
David will also be missed by sister-in-laws Jeanette Hoge (Russ Kittinger), and Kathy Hunt. Brother-in-law to Bud Schlaeger (Linda), and William Borchardt (Denise). Loved by nieces Peggy Bryan (Barry), Marcy Morris (Kevin), MaryAnn Barrett (BearKat), Randie Mingus (Mike), Elizabeth Spielbauer (Dave), and nephews Wayne Hoge (Danielle), Shane Hunt (Robin), Ron Hunt (Irma), Bill Borchardt, and Bernard Schlaeger. He will also be missed by great nieces and nephews Josiah, Gabe, Nathan, Jon, Daniel, Noelle and Maria Bryan, Kennedy and Daniel Morris, Joey and Calvin Barrett, Trevor Hunt and Madison Meyer (Isaac), Briana Erasmus, Abby, Austin, Natalie and Ella Spielbauer.
David was able to enjoy time with almost all of his family at the June marriage celebration of Paul and Rachel. David and Michele are grateful to all the family members who traveled from near and far to celebrate and visit with David.
Well known and respected in the tool and die industry, David began as a machinist in the 1970s and enrolled in an apprenticeship program to become an indentured tool and die maker, earning his diploma on February 13, 1987. David’s career included working for Triangle Tool, Strohwig Industries, Rockwell Industries, and Carlson Manufacturing. He developed an interest in mold design and achieved respected status after being self-taught. In 2001 he became self-employed and designed from home for 15 years. In 2016 he accepted a position as a designer with Moraine Precision, now Elite Tool in Jackson, where he worked until retiring in July 2020.
David and Michele enjoyed camping all of their married life. They especially liked the National Forest campgrounds in Wisconsin and the UP. He also loved to fish and enjoyed several trips to Canada where the Walleyes are plentiful, but mostly he fished Wisconsin waters. Their love of the outdoors took them to Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, and many National Parks and Forests in Oregon, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, and many other states in their camper. Before retiring David bought a 5th wheel camper and while luxurious, he still preferred the remote campgrounds of our National Forests and Parks. His last two camping trips, and only ones this year, were very recently spent with family in Ozaukee County, and friends at Ottawa Lake Campground.
He had a passion for woodworking and enjoyed spending time in his well equipped workshop. He designed and built a CNC router, and used it to make many beautiful pieces. Cribbage boards were a favorite of friends and family. He was not afraid to tackle any project and the family has many heirloom pieces to hold dear, including a hand-made cradle that was made for their grandson Ethan, a beautiful cherry kitchen table and chairs, end grain cutting boards from maple and walnut, and beautiful wooden bowls. He also tackled and completed many large projects including installing a pool and building a deck for his family, he built a recreation room in their first home, and was able to fix anything.
David also enjoyed spending evenings playing favorite video games, and became one of the top 5 Candy Crush players (without spending a dime). His favorite all time game, however, was Heroes of Might and Magic. David was a pioneer in home computing, purchasing a computer for the family in the early 1980s, which ultimately benefited his sons as they were always on the cutting edge of computer technology. They also entered the world of the internet when the world wide web was just opening to the general population. Games were text based and David and his sons spent many hours playing bulletin board games together. Many friendships were created through the family’s involvement in computers and a computer club.
For years David and Michele trained their two Aussies for agility, and attended weekly classes together. David was always enjoyed by staff and fellow students at Think Pawsitive. They also enjoyed lure coursing on occasion, and of course the dogs were always included in camping trips. David was always supportive of Michele’s dog sport hobbies and often attended trials and special events.
For the past 40 years Sheepshead has been his and Michele’s favorite entertainment with close friends Bob and Denise Mantz, and Dan and Joy Bushee. Although a good player, he has been known to earn the tiara after being caught mauering. David had many fond memories of time spent traveling, sharing fine wine and good food, and playing Sheepshead with their dear friends.
Another favorite pastime of David’s was a weekly visit to Su Casa in Menomonee Falls for Happy Hour where he and Michele enjoyed getting to know Jorge and Berta Suarez, their family, and staff as well as a few other patrons who they are honored to be called friends. In addition to Happy Hour, they were regulars for the Packer games and enjoyed their warm hospitality, camaraderie, great food, and of course Margaritas. Su Casa was always a favorite for dinner out as well. David was especially fond of Juliana, who not only provided exceptional service, but also won his heart with her kindness, humor, and love of family.
David’s life revolved around family. He supported his boys in sports, including football, soccer, baseball, and basketball. David coached soccer for several years for Erin Soccer League. The family spent many hours playing board games and card games, and taught the boys the game of Sheepshead. He and Michele camped with lifelong friends Tom and Mary Makkos and their girls, hiked to many waterfalls, and especially enjoyed spending time around campfires.
The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Froedtert in the oncology departments, ER, and hospital for their compassionate care during his treatment. They would also like to acknowledge his family doctor Gwen Johnson who gave him many years of loving and compassionate care. In addition they would like to thank family and friends for their humbling outpouring of support, prayers, and encouragement during this last journey. David was a good man, husband, father, and friend and he will be dearly missed.
Visitation on Sunday, October 16, 2022 at Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral Home, W250N6505 Hwy 164, Sussex from 2 pm until time of the Funeral Service at 5 pm. Memorials to the American Lung Association are appreciated.
