D. David Pippel

Dave Pippel – Loving Husband, Father and Grandfather

Dave was born on November 13,1938 in Indianapolis, IN to Donald C (2004) and Marion Dadels (1996). The family moved to Michigan, and he attended Greenfield Village Schools in Dearborn from kindergarten through 8th grade. He welcomed a sister in 1941, Sandra Lynn Meyer (1990). During his childhood he developed a passion for golf at Dearborn Country Club, where he became Junior Club Champion.

High school was where Dave perfected his golf swing and his charm. In 1955, he captained the team that won the State Class A Championship, and he scored an even bigger win: meeting Joyce DeWitt in American History class. (Talk about making history.)

Joyce and Dave headed off to the University of Michigan, he joined the Chi Phi Fraternity where he became president. He graduated with degrees in Engineering and Finance, proving he could calculate both yardage and interest rates. He also served in the Army, where he played on the Army Golf Team. (Yes, even Uncle Sam couldn't keep him off the course). Even while in the Army he still never missed a Michigan home football game and would even hitchhike from Fort Knox to Ann Arbor to attend. Tailgating with friends and family on the U of M golf course and sitting in the Big House on the 50-yard line. He continued this tradition through the 2025 football season capping off over 60 years of attendance. No U of M sport went unwatched, if Michigan played it, Dave watched it.

He married Joyce on December 29,1962 and started his career at National Bank of Detroit (NBD) one week later. Over 35 years, he climbed the ladder to Vice President of the National Division. Dave had an extraordinary knack for cultivating deep-rooted relationships, blending strategic insight with wit and charm that made every connection feel effortless and genuine.

His son, Donald David Jr., was born in 1968 and his daughter, Jill Monahan, was born in 1970.

His son, Don married Melinda Abernathy in 1995, and they welcomed two children, Madeline in 1998 and David Maxwell in 2001. Dave became their golf coach and "Grampy". He welcomed a son-in-law to the family in 2006 when Jill married Terry Monahan, and he became a step-grandfather to Madison Furlotti and Ryan Monahan.

Vacations included time in Grand Haven and Hilton Head Island, any beach with sand and a nearby golf course.

Dave was a life member of Dearborn CC and Detroit Athletic Club (DAC), and later joined Stoney Croft CC.

Many golf tournaments and championships including winning the Family Scramble at Dearborn CC many times. These were his favorite, Family Wins.

Dave and Joyce were loyal members at Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church. For many years he served as Usher Captain, supporting Sunday services. He also served on their Board of Trustees.

Retirement meant world travel with Joyce - London, Paris, Prague, Budapest, Australia and New Zealand. Naples, Florida was a winter destination headquarters for 'golf spring training.'

Dave passed peacefully at home on December 13, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and low handicaps.

Family will receive friends, Tuesday, December 23, 2025, 4:30-6:30pm at A. J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel), 32515 Woodward Ave., (btwn 13-14 Mile) Royal Oak. 248-549-0500.

A Celebration of Life and Interment will be held at Kirk in the Hills, 1340 West Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Hillsdale College at https://online.hillsdale.edu or Tunnel to Towers at https://t2t.org.