David M. Plank

Dr. David Merrill Plank, beloved husband, father, grandfather, prosthodontist and friend passed away on November 29, 2025, after a valiant battle with Parkinson's disease that he handled with grace and dignity. Born in Columbus, Ohio on March 11, 1946, he attended Indiana University, earning his dental degree at Indiana University Medical Center before entering the U. S. Navy. While stationed in Orlando, he met the love of his life, Leslie. Although the courtship was brief, the love affair was long, with these best friends recently celebrating 53 years of marriage.

David returned to IU Medical Center once his tour of duty was complete, gaining specialty training in prosthodontics and maxillofacial prosthetics. He was board-certified by the American Board of Prosthodontics, a distinction held by less than one percent of all dentists in the United States. David cherished his profession and patients, often volunteering with cleft palate teams, as well as other organizations that helped oral cancer patients. In order to ensure the upmost standards, he routinely handled the technical and laboratory aspects of patients' dentures, a practice almost unheard of today. His patients came to expect and value his high quality. He was a member of numerous professional dental organizations and was past president of the Florida Prosthodontics Association.

David was an avid Peanuts fan and known for his vast collection of Snoopy neckties! Snoopy is the mascot for Canine Companions for Independence, and David was proud to have Zax, a yellow lab/golden mix and Canine Companion, as part of his family. It just seems appropriate for a lover of Snoopy that Leslie and Zax would become a CCI therapy team and visit often.

David loved his family, especially his grandchildren, his little rays of sunshine. He loved working on jigsaw puzzles with them and just enjoyed hearing about their lives. David's love and devotion will truly be missed by his surviving family: wife, Leslie; son and daughter-in-law, Ryan and Amy; daughter-in law, Andrea; and grandchildren, Isabella, Ava, Caden, Emily and Elizabeth. It gives his family peace to know that he was met in heaven by his son, Dr. Daniel Plank, who proceeded him in death. He will be missed forever but will always remain in our hearts for being the loving, kind, gentle caring soul that he was. We love you David, Dad, Grandpa

"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace."

- St. Francis of Assisi

In lieu of flowers: Please donate to Canine Companions for Independence, Parkinson's Association or St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church.