Dr. David E. Weiss

1930 - 2025

Dr. David E. Weiss

July 30, 1930 - December 14, 2025

Dr. David E. Weiss, 95, of Eau Claire, died at home December 14, 2025, under hospice care and surrounded by his family.

Dave was born in Eau Claire on July 30, 1930, to Egon and Agnes (Meuli) Weiss. A 1948 graduate of Eau Claire High School, he played football (and the trumpet!) and was a shot putter on the track team. He attended Eau Claire Teachers' College (now UWEC) from 1948-1950 and started at guard on the 1948 conference championship football team.

In the fall of 1944, he worked up the nerve-it did require nerve, because Dave wasn't renowned, then or later, for shaking a leg-to ask Gloria Fomberg, a fellow high school freshman who he often described as "perfect and unattainable," to dance with him. They dated for seven years before marrying on August 11, 1951.

The future Dr. Weiss matriculated at the University of Minnesota Dental School in 1950 and graduated with his D.D.S in 1954. Dave liked to share that, from 1954-1956, he was Chief of Dental Surgery at the Air Force base in Duluth, quickly adding that he was the one and only dentist on site. In 1957, following a year in private practice in Duluth, Dave and Gloria moved back to Eau Claire, where he opened a dental practice in Putnam Heights. He retired in 1996.

Dr. Weiss was a meticulous dentist, often performing his own prophies, alternating such cleanings with Kathy Buchholz, his longtime hygienist; he wanted his patients to feel cared for by him. An accomplished painter and carver, he did much of his own dental lab work evenings in his office after enjoying supper with his family.

Dave made a lifelong commitment to physical conditioning. On the morning after his wedding, his bride discovered him in their hotel room doing pushups. 12 days before he died, steering his four-wheeled walker around the interior of his house, Dave walked a half mile in 30 minutes. And dancing aside, he was both a fine athlete and a local aerobic sports pioneer. Dr. Dave was the first area man to run the Boston Marathon, finishing the 1969 race in 3 hours and 13 minutes. He competed in 15 Birkebeiner cross country ski races, winning his age group in the second and third Birkies. In 1990 and 1991, he won his age group in the United States Canoe Association National Championships.

Speaking of canoeing, his happy place was the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, where he enjoyed scores of trips with family and friends. Shortly after his 95th birthday, on a sunny summer day, his son cajoled him, somewhat counter to his stated desire, into canoeing on Lake Wissota, where Steve escorted him and his walker into the lake. After Dave was safely ensconced in the bow seat and joined by his son in the stern, they paddled out from the landing. A few strokes later, he said, "I'd forgotten how much fun this is!"

In 1969, he became the first president of the newly-formed Indianhead Track Club. He was instrumental in initiating the Kiwanis Boys and Girls Track Meet and served as its meet director for many years. In addition to his abiding interest in outdoor pursuits, many of which he wrote about in his memoir A Sport Runs Through It, Dave's love of football never waned. He coached elementary school YMCA football with Monk Wagner for twelve years and scouted opposing teams for Blugold football coach Jim Rice. He was a passionate Green Bay Packers fan, in part because of his friendship with Bart Starr in the sixties. Several times a day in the week preceding the December 7 Packer-Bear game, the last time he was able to watch and cheer on the Pack, he was heard to say, "I just hope the Packers beat the Bears!" He got his wish.

Dave loved his family and particularly enjoyed visits from his grandchildren, who lovingly called him Boompa, an endearment referring to the affable family man portrayed by Jimmy Stewart in Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation.

He was a founding member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where he was a past president of the congregation and taught Sunday school for many years.

Dave was predeceased by Gloria, his wife of 71 years, his brother Bill, his sister-in-law Mary Lou Gabriel, and his brother-in-law Rev. Charles Gavin. Dave is survived by his son Dr. Steve Weiss (Vickie) and daughter Carolyn (Evo) Gregorian, grandchildren Brianne (David) Rosenstock, Kylie (Jake) Reckinger, Daniel (Rachel) Weiss, Dr. Nicole Weiss, and Erik (Annisa) Weiss, and great-grandchildren Van and Art Rosenstock, Hazel Reckinger, and Emma Weiss. He is further survived by his grandchildren's parents Michael Boardman and Melonie Weiss, his sister-in-law Sally Gavin, nephews Joe (Lee) Weiss, with whom he delighted in countless fishing trips, John (Susan) Weiss, Tim (Kreea) Gavin, Mike (Kim) Gavin, niece Kelley (Hai) Nguyen, and lifetime pal John (Dunc) Drummond.

Dave had wonderful neighbors, whose help allowed him to stay in his home. The family wishes to thank Kathy Lyons and Todd and Kim Wellnitz. Special thanks to Charlie Kwick, who embodied selfless service and love.

Funeral services will be at 11 am on Friday, January 9, 2026 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1314 E. Lexington Blvd., Eau Claire, WI 54701 with Pastor Tom Westcott officiating. Visitation will take place at the church that day from 9:30 am until the time of service.

Memorials are preferred to the Dave and Gloria Weiss Blugold Scholarship Fund, the YMCA, or the charity of the giver's choice.

Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com. Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.