David William Zenk
January 25, 1935 - December 21, 2014
San Jose
Dave died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on December 21, 2014 (age 79). He grew up in Battle Creek, Michigan and graduated from St. Phillips High School and John Carroll University. He was a 2nd LT US Army. Since 1976 the family lived in the Almaden Valley of San Jose. Dave retired from IBM after 31 years. He was an active volunteer for many local organizations including: Birthright San Jose, Sacred Heart Community Services Job-Link and as a Catholic Charities senior living ombudsman He was a member of Sons In Retirement (SIR) Branch 94.
Dave's family includes: his loving wife of 57 years, Germaine; his children: Mary Jo, Monica, Martin, Daniel, Jennifer and Katherine (deceased); his grandchildren and great grandchildren; his brothers: Joseph and Steven (deceased); his sister Anne Marie (Schmieder); and many loving family members.
There will be a celebration of Dave's life at a memorial mass on Saturday, December 27, 2014 at 2:00pm at Holy Spirit Parish. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Birthright San Jose or Sacred Heart Community Services Job-Link in San Jose.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Dec. 24, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for David Zenk

Sponsored by San Jose Mercury News.

16 Entries

John Fahey

December 18, 2019

Dave Zenk was one of the finest, most decent men it was ever my privilege to know. My condolences to another extraordinary human being - his beloved widow Germaine. Their inspiring love is a never-ending source of strength and goodness in the lives of each and every one of their remarkable children and grandchildren.

Carl DiMaria

February 14, 2015

Germaine, I just heard about David. My condolences. Growing up next door to Dave, he will always be in one of the first recollections of any memory that I have. I have always looked up to him. I'm sure thru his life any body who met him will have the same sentiment. So sure that his last thoughts were about you and his Family.
Carl DiMaria

Chuck Hackett

January 11, 2015

As I continue to think about the nearly 80 year life of my father-in-law, Dave Zenk, it occurs to me that his best sales work may have come at the end of his life. In his volunteer Job Link work at Sacred Heart Community Center, Dave sold an idea to men who had served their time. He sold them on the notion that they could "believe in themselves." And at his hospital bedside Dave's unspoken message to each of us was the same: "You DO have the strength to go on."

David Lajon

January 10, 2015

I knew Dave as a very caring, compassionate, outgoing, kind and friendly person who always put others before himself. He was always willing to help weather it was a church function, a fundraiser or whatever the case may have been. Dave taught me what generosity and caring were really all about. Dave's spirit will always shine on in my heart. My deepest condolences to Germaine and the Zenk family.

January 9, 2015

I knew Dave as a very caring, compassionate, outgoing, kind and friendly person. He was always willing to help weather it be with a church function, a fundraiser or whatever the case may be. Dave's spirit will always shine on in my memory. My condolences to the Zenk family.

December 31, 2014

I only knew Dave as an in-law, but I witnessed what a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and in-law he was. God Bless!

Kathy (Schmieder) Pueppke

December 31, 2014

Germaine, my heart just broke when I heard the news. Dave was, to put it simply, a wonderful person. I so enjoyed the chance to see you both over the past few years. You are in my thoughts and prayers always.

Pat (Hofman) Garcia

December 30, 2014

Dear Germaine and Family, So sorry to hear of Dave's passing, even if he now has what we want: an eternity of happiness with the Father!! I am a cousin that you met once at Emperor Norton's Pizza Place. Dave looked so much like a younger version of our Uncle, Brother Julian Landolf, that I just couldn't stop looking at him because I couldn't believe it. In spite of my intentions, that was our only meeting. :>(
May God bless you all with comfort, peace, and happy memories. What a good man and an active Catholic!!
With love and prayers,
Pat (Hofman) and Tom Garcia

Susan

December 29, 2014

My condolences to the Zenk family. Thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.

December 27, 2014

Truly a man of honor, integrity, kindness, and love, of the Greatest Generation for sure. His kind leave a great void and are sorely missed. The world loses one of its finest. We shall carry on imitating his faithful example and beautiful memory. We enjoyed him and Germaine in their work for Birthright where our friendship was cemented forever. With the deepest sadness we say good-bye. Love,
Rose and Jack Oneto.

December 26, 2014

We have lost a good man. Dave was a good friend and a genuine gentle man. I liked him from the first time I met him to talk about my volunteering at Sacred Heart Joblink. Needless to say he convinced me that I was the man for the job. He would always provide me with any information that he thought I could use at my Thursday Joblink Orientation workshops done in Spanish at Sacred Heart. I truly felt that I would learn something every time Dave spoke at our volunteer meetings, so I always liked to say there, that everything I knew I learned from Dave, and so he would just smile. Joblink won't be the same without him, and I shall miss him. A good man indeed.
My wife Sylvia and I would like Germaine and family to know that we shall keep them in our prayers.

Oscar A. Gutierrez

Jesusita Alcorcha

December 26, 2014

I am deeply saddened to learn about the passing of my dear friend, Dave Zenk. Dave was a leader and extremely strong advocate of the JobLink program at Sacred Heart Community Service. He touched the lives of hundreds of job seekers - leading orientations, adding his expertise to program guidelines and language. With his enthusiasm and advocacy, he brought many awesome, energetic volunteers into JobLink. Dave and his beautiful wife, Germaine, were always ready to help and guide staff and other volunteers. I am blessed to have known such a wonderful, giving, loving and genuine person. My deepest condolences to Germaine, the true love of his life, and to all the children and grandchildren. God Bless and Keep Dave. I know he is looking down at us from heaven.

Chuck Hackett

December 25, 2014

Dave Zenk made me feel like part of his family from our very first meeting in Washington, DC. in 1985. After the death of my parents he became a 'big brother' and 'father' figure - unafraid of speaking the truth and practicing tough love. A member of "the greatest generation," Dave Zenk was what we used to call "a man's man." He did what had to be done, whether it was difficult or not. His moral compass was fixed on TRUE north. And that truth came from his strong faith, expressed every day of his life as an unapologetic catholic christian. May all the angels in heaven welcome you with open arms, Dad +

John Fahey

December 24, 2014

Dave, who was a man of charity, dignity, goodwill, hospitality & integrity, will be sorely missed, and is being remembered in the Prayers of the Faithful at St. Mary in Anacortes, WA at all Christmas masses.

Gregg & Elonda Castro

December 23, 2014

Dave was a genuine, kind hearted, generous contributor to the community. It was a joy for my wife Elonda and I to work for years along side Dave and Germaine in the Birthright family. There were no strangers to the Zenks, all were welcomed and loved. Their generosity to my family is a particular blessing that we shall always cherish - and continue to share in the world. We shall continue also his memory. ~ Gregg Castro

Joann Wright

December 23, 2014

Dear Lord, bless this loving family. Dave was Christ's hands on earth. May his love of humanity be a model for us all. Love to Germaine, Mary Jo and Chuck, David and Kathryn snd the rest of the Zenk family

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