David Dorff

David Leo Dorff, 67, passed away on Sunday, October 22, 2023, in Longview, Texas.
David was born February 1, 1956, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to Ervin Kenneth Dorff and Nancylee Prendergast Dorff and spent his childhood living in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and California. He was the oldest of three and felt great love and responsibility for his sister, Trisha, and brother, Michael.
David was born into a multi-generational football family and he caught the love of the game. He played through high school and college, and some of his last moments on earth involved watching college football. In addition to football, David participated in track and field, played the clarinet, performed in school musicals, and while growing up also served as an altar boy in his Catholic Church. Later in life David took up running and achieved his goal of running the Boston Marathon.
After graduating from Miraleste High School in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, in 1974, David attended Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he quickly learned what it really meant to study. He graduated in 1978 with a degree in Biology. He furthered his studies by receiving an MBA in 1983 from Pepperdine University in Los Angeles, California.
During his senior year at Harvard he was introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through his brother and mother. Although very skeptical at first, after many months of fighting it he received an undeniable witness that this was Christ's church on the earth. He surprised his mother and brother during one of their visits when he asked Michael to baptize him. He was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on February 19, 1978. The remainder of his life was a study in devotion to Christ's gospel, while applying the Atonement of Jesus Chist and living as a worthy Priesthood bearer. David was blessed to serve as a Bishop in Florida and a counselor in a Stake Presidency in Indiana. He graduated this life as a temple recommend holder, which he considered an honor.
Another great blessing occurred during David's senior year at Harvard. A young woman, recently returned from a mission, was called to teach the class for those investigating the church. She was beautiful, faithful, and well-spoken, and he also needed a date to a school function. One thing led to another, and just six weeks later David and Anne (Andi) Harriman became engaged. Being sealed in the temple was their ultimate desire, and they chose to wait ten months until they were able to be married in the Los Angeles temple on February 21, 1979.
David enjoyed a successful business career, working at an executive level for multiple companies, being hired as a consultant, and traveling the world. In total he visited 38 countries and 49 states, and moved his family from California through Ohio, Florida, and Indiana. After retirement he added Texas and Washington to that list. He loved experiencing the culture wherever he went. His quick mind, sense of humor, and love of mentoring made him a well-liked and respected colleague.
As much as he loved his work, he also made time for his family. David was a devoted husband and father. He and Andi built a wonderful life as best friends over 44 years of marriage, and he would often remind his children how much he loved her and how blessed they were to have her as their mother. David and Andi welcomed three daughters (Kristen, Erika, and Tiffany) and one son (David Jr./DJ). As a dad he attended concerts, award ceremonies, and sporting events, often as the coach. He found great joy in watching his children succeed in their various vocations and hobbies, and he was never afraid to volunteer his children to perform or contribute, sometimes with little to no notice. He also loved to take his family places, and would never fail to ask, "Who had fun?" It became a family challenge to beat Dad by asking it first.
Always a kid at heart, David was often the instigator of activities, games, and the ultimate teller of bad dad jokes. He was always down for a soda or Slurpee run or a trip through the drive through. He had a way with the youth in his life and was called to serve in church positions where he impacted many for good. He especially enjoyed his time working in Scouting, where he motivated many to achieve the rank of Eagle. He loved teaching the gospel, and the youth referred to his early morning Seminary class as AP New Testament. His love for them was felt and reciprocated.
David was outgoing and missionary minded. He considered all he met a friend, and he loved serving others where possible. Unfortunately, the last 22 years of his life were filled with health challenges. The ups and downs of physical, mental, and emotional health refined and humbled him. Even though he spent many months inside of medical facilities, he used this as an opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. He bore his testimony and taught gospel principles to nurses, doctors, business associates, neighbors, and especially his family. He shared his testimony in both word and deed. We have no doubt he is now happy to focus full-time on doing the work of the Lord in the Spirit World.
David is survived by his wife Andi, daughters Kristen (Shawn) Brady, Erika (Mason) Pike, Tiffany (Kyle) Bishop-Yetter, son DJ (Laurel) Dorff, sister Trisha (Daniel) Heuberger, brother Michael (Sarah) Dorff, and 19 grandchildren. David was preceded in death by his mother and father, son-in-law Timothy Bishop, and granddaughter Emma.
A public visitation will be held on Friday, November 3, 2023, from 6-8pm at Nelson Family Mortuary, 4780 N University Avenue, Provo, Utah. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 11am, also at Nelson Family Mortuary. The burial will follow at Provo City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, we know that David would prefer contributions to any faith-based charity.