David R. Livers

1938 - 2020

David R. Livers

Lafayette - David R. Livers, 82, of Lafayette, IN, passed away on Sunday, December 27, 2020. He was born on January 5, 1938 in Fisk, Missouri to the late Patrick Leo and Kathlyn (Reeves) Livers.

As a teenager, Dave worked as a projectionist for the Photo Play Movie Theater in Clay City, Indiana. He also learned telegraphy and worked as a telegrapher for the Monon Railroad. After graduation from Clay City High School, he began working full time for the Monon railroad until he enlisted in the United States Air Force. Dave served in the Air Force from 1960 to 1964 in the 38th Tactical Missile Squadron. He was stationed for 3 years at Sembach Air Force Base outside Trier, Germany. Dave enjoyed interacting with the people in Germany and quickly learned the German language. After returning from Germany, he went back to work for the Monon railroad as an operator at the Salem Street Dispatch office in Lafayette while attending Purdue University. While working there, he lived in a caboose in the rail yard for several months. He eventually transferred to Indiana State University where he received his Bachelors Degree in 1968 with a Major in Business.

On February 14, 1969, he married Mary Crist in Otterbein, Indiana.

Dave began working for State Farm Insurance in February of 1969 and became a Divisional Claims Superintendent in the Fire & Casualty Company until his retirement in 1997.

He was a member of the Monon Railroad Historical Technical Society. Dave enjoyed doing his own home improvements and repairs as well as tinkering with electronics. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and taking photos especially sunset pictures on the beach in Florida. Dave was known as "Papa Paparazzi" to his family. In his later years, he enjoyed reading, especially articles on current events, feeding the birds and squirrels in his yard, and traveling to Destin, Florida every January thru March with Mary. Dave never met a stranger and heard many a life story from new acquaintances.

Surviving are his wife, Mary Livers of Lafayette; his children, Sean "Tim" (Abby) Livers of Terre Haute, IN and Ian (Kylee) Livers of Lafayette; his siblings, Jon Livers of Chapel Hill, NC and Penelope "Penny" (Da) Hiestand of China Springs, TX; Brother in Law Alva Crist of California; and 4 adoring grandchildren, Harper Livers, Charlie Livers, Lydia Livers, and Frankie Livers.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas Nathaniel Livers (died in infancy); sister, Patricia Livers; and sister-in-law, Pat Livers.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to food finders of Lafayette at food-finders.org/give/ in loving memory of David Livers. You may leave condolences and memories of David online at www.fisherfuneralchapel.com