David A. "Dave" DeHaan

David A. DeHaan
July 29, 1947 – October 10, 2024
Dave passed away peacefully on October 10, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Anne; his children, Andrew (Stephanie), Aubree, and James; and his grandchildren, Louis and Henry. He is also survived by his siblings Jim (Wendy), Debbie (Chuck), and Patti (Brad), as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Robert and Dorothy DeHaan, and his older brother, Randy (Maureen).
Dave was born in Grand Rapids and raised on Hammond Lake in Bloomfield Township. He served honorably in the Vietnam War and received numerous awards, including the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart. During his time in the service, his love for his family did not waver as he was known to consistently write to his siblings. Dave attended Michigan State University where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business and where he met Anne. He dedicated his career to General Motors for 47 years, contributing to the engineering design of iconic vehicle lines such as the Pontiac Fiero, Cadillac, and Corvette.
An avid hobbyist, Dave was always engaged in several projects. He and Anne had recently moved to White Lake where he meticulously organized his tools and collections in the garages and basement workshops. A forever car enthusiast, his first car was a maroon 1961 Corvair. Recently, he brought home his yellow 1957 Corvette to begin restoration and always kept his orange 2011 Camaro pristine. His self-taught expertise in technology was evident by the dozens of computers he built and maintained for himself and others. His escape was the peace and quiet of the Upper Peninsula where the family used to take annual trips. He regularly attended train shows in York, Pennsylvania, where he curated his model train collection. Dave enjoyed movies, evenings out with his family at local restaurants, visiting his son Jim out West, and playing with his grandchildren.
Above all, Dave was a remarkable person, known for his kindness, generosity, and unwavering willingness to help others. He never spoke ill of anyone and was a true mentor to both family and friends, always offering solutions, repairs, and guidance.
Dave will be deeply missed and his influence will continue to shape our lives every day.