David Paul Welch 1971-2016
age 44, of Chapel Hill, N.C., passed away at home on July 4, 2016 from complications associated with lung cancer. He was born on Oct. 19, 1971 in Cincinnati, Ohio and grew up in North Canton, Ohio, where he graduated from Hoover High School in 1990. He received a BS degree in biology from Vanderbilt University in 1994 and a PhD in Environmental Science from Indiana University in 2007. David loved his work as an ecologist. He got his start in the field as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kenya, where he worked with local farmers on reforestation efforts in and around the town of Taveta. At his most recent position as the Director of the Plant Conservation Program at the North Carolina State Department of Agriculture, he managed the acquisition and stewardship of thousands of acres of land from the North Carolina mountains to the coast for the preservation of endangered native plants, such as ginseng, pitcher plant and Venus flytraps.
David was a loving and supportive spouse to his wife of eleven years, Katherine Roberts, and a patient, kind and playful Dad to their two young children, Serena Welch (7) and Daniel Welch (5). He is also survived by his parents, Dr. Paul and Miriam Welch of North Canton, Ohio; his sister and brother-in-law, Lisa and Jeff Kapp, of Cleveland, Ohio, and their two children, Katherine and Jake. David will be deeply missed by all of them.
There will be a memorial service to honor David's life on Saturday, July 9 at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of Reconciliation (110 N. Elliott Rd, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514) in Chapel Hill. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Chapel Hill Mennonite Fellowship, P.O. Box 2145, Chapel Hill, N.C .27515-2145. You may sign the online register book at www.lowefuneralhome.com

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

Published by The Repository on Jul. 8, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for David Welch

21 Entries

tes thraves

July 12, 2016

Sending condolences. May his memory be a blessing.

July 11, 2016

So very sorry. May God bless you and your family. Love and Blessing,

Keith and Phyllis Atkinson

Monica Schmucker

July 10, 2016

Kathy, Serena, and Daniel
What a wonderful husband and father you have had, which is a blessing that I trust will continue with you all your lives. But it also makes losing him so painful. I always appreciated David's gentle and loving way of interacting with people.May you have all the love and support you need now and in the days ahead.

Andres Calderon

July 10, 2016

A life cut way too short. I met David in Peace Corps - Kenya. I knew him as kind, gentle, and generous. A true loss.

Kim Kim Yee

July 9, 2016

I am so very saddened to have heard this news. David was a wonderful human being who touched many. I went to graduate school with David at Indiana University and, like so many, loved his sense of humor and his goodness.

My heartfelt condolences to the Welch Family.

Kim Kim Yee

July 8, 2016

We are truly saddened to here of of Davds passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the whole Welch family.
Steve and Susan Coss

Michael VanBuskirk

July 8, 2016

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. The Welches have long been family friends and my heart goes out to you at this time.

Jon Katz

July 8, 2016

Dear Kathy,
Stacy told me about Your husband. Words can't express the sadness I feel for you and your children. I regret not having met David. From her description I can easily imagine you two together.

May his memory be for a blessing.

The Kindy family, NCTVA

July 8, 2016

Prayers lifted for the Welch family. We are so sorry for your loss.

Jeanette Zinamon

July 8, 2016

We are so sorry and sad for your loss. Thinking of you this weekend and wishing you comfort during this terrible time. Love, The Zinamon Family

July 8, 2016

Sincere condolences goes out to the Welch family for your sad loss..

Cheryle Yount Casar

July 8, 2016

May you find peace

Stacy Holden

July 7, 2016

I remember David as a truly kind man. I can see him now, so vibrant, when he and Kathy first moved to Chapel Hill. I had come down for a visit on Kathy's 40th birthday. He and Dolly went out for a morning run. I keep replaying the image of the two of them--David and his dog running down the street with such enthusiasm (and perhaps just a bit of determination on David's part!). A few years later, David and Kathy and the kids spent a lovely couple of days with me as well as my mother and my husband at a beach house in Topsail, NC. I am so glad that I had an opportunity to know him even better that weekend. His gentle presence put everyone at ease.

July 7, 2016

David was a welcome guest at our home in Nairobi, Kenya. His kindness and sweet disposition come to mind when we think back to those ears. Our daughter was a toddler at that time and she was also a fan, always on her best behavior when he visited.

It's so hard to believe he's gone. We stayed in regular touch via annual holiday letters.

Our hearts go out to his family and the large void left in their lives. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.

Rest in peace our dear friend.

Mona, Phil, Delaney and Kelsey
Arlington, VA

Julie Lykins

July 7, 2016

My heart flows with sadness with this news and I send my deepest love to your family David!!

Grant Wiegert

July 7, 2016

David was my hotel mate in Philadelphia when we had our pre Kenyan training before being bussed to NYC and then flown to Kenya. Just a nice guy overall and not one who seemed to get rattled by anything. My heart goes out to all of the Welch's as he was a good man who contributed to the betterment of the planet. Grant Wiegert

Kevin Flowers

July 7, 2016

I knew David from our time in school at North Canton together. The world is truly less without David, and I am honored to have been able to know him in his all too brief time here. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

July 7, 2016

Dear Kathy, Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers; I am so very sorry about Davids death. I know that Our Lord will give you the strength you need. I love you lots and if you need anything let me know. Your friend, Ellie B.

Karen Wooddell

July 7, 2016

Dear Kathy, I cannot begin to know your pain or that of your children! Just know that you all are in my prayers and thoughts! Please let God lead you through this new challenge in your life! I love you so much and if there is anything I could do, please let me know! Hugs my sweet friend!!

Sharon Wilson Catawba Lands Conservancy

July 7, 2016

David was a wonderful ambassador for plant conservation. David's legacy will live through the work he accomplished and the difference he made in NC. His gentle nature and thoughtful manner will be sorely missed in the conservation community.

Christa Winkler

July 7, 2016

Such a kind and gentle soul, David, you will be missed by many. Love and light to your family.

Showing 1 - 21 of 21 results