David Bruce McDonald

David Bruce “Dave” McDonald, 73, former New York Yankee, died Friday, May 19, 2017 at home in Pompano Beach, FL.

Dave was born May 20, 1943 in New Albany, Indiana to the late Lester and Rosabel (Clampitt) McDonald. Dave was a sought after 4-sport high school athlete who was recruited to play both collegiate football at University of Nebraska and major league baseball; with guidance from his father (former Chicago Bear) that baseball would result in less physical injury, he signed a contract with the Yankees after high school. He had a 13-year baseball career, which included time in the majors as a first baseman and catcher with the Yankees, Montreal Expos, and as a player/coach with the New York Mets. Dave’s baseball card is a 1970 rookie split card featuring himself and Thurman Munson.

Dave earned a BA degree in Education from Florida Atlantic University and was able to combine his love of teaching and baseball by coaching and mentoring players at Gardner-Webb University (Boiling Springs, NC) and Pompano Beach High School (Pompano Beach, FL) where he spent part of his retirement as a substitute teacher and ‘great guy’ who was loved and respected by the students.

Dave had a soft, quiet demeanor and was a giving person who never hesitated to help or teach others. On weekends, he enjoyed coffee on the front porch while working on a crossword puzzle and rarely turned down a fishing or golf outing. He was humble about his former athletic successes because his most beloved roles were husband, father, and grandfather. Dave is survived by his loving wife, Brenda; their four daughters and three son-in-laws, Dawn and Ron Muller (Pompano Beach, FL), Deidre and Ben Kiser (Shelby, NC), Dara McDonald (Shelby, NC), and Danielle and Andre Kwasnik (Pompano Beach, FL); seven grandchildren, Carly (Evgeny) Slesarev, Julia Kiser, Sydney Kiser, Haley Muller, Ethan Muller, Alexis Kwasnik and Dylan Kwasnik; and his one year old great-granddaughter, Paulina Rose Slesarev.

A memorial service will be held on a later date to be announced.