Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1936
DIED
2023
David Rethwisch Obituary
Raised on farms in Carroll, Nebraska, Bellflower, California, and Atwater, California, David was most at ease in nature. After graduating from Livingston High in 1953, David served in the Marine Corps and the Army Reserve. On March 30, 1958, David married his high school sweetheart, Lois Dameron. They were married for 43 years until Lois passed in 2001. David earned a bachelor's degree in agriculture from CSU Fresno and briefly worked in soil conservation in Napa, California. He then trained as a machinist at Mare Island in Vallejo, California, where he served for 30 years.
David loved the mountains and was an excellent caretaker of the land. He owned a Christmas Tree farm in St. Helena and later a Tree Farm in Somerset. He liked dirt bike riding and was an experienced rifle and bow hunter, completing his last hunting trip in 2022. David loved sunbathing and bodysurfing at the beach when not in the mountains. Beaches in Bora Bora and Maui were his favorite, but when in Napa, he preferred the coastline near Stinson Beach. His true passion, though, was Dixieland Jazz. David played the trumpet and cornet from an early age. He often played at Christmas and Easter services, most notably at St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa and First Lutheran Church in Placerville. An avid attendee of the annual Old Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, David enjoyed the festival from its inception in 1972 until its closing in 2018.
David will be remembered as a loving father and grandfather and for his kind and gentle heart. A Memorial Service will be held for him on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, 1200 Pinecrest Court, Placerville, California 95667. The family will greet friends for refreshments and fellowship after the service. Memorials and gifts may be made to the First Lutheran Church Memorial Fund in David's name.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for David Rethwisch
2 Entries
Rosette
January 5, 2024
What an extraordinary man with so many passions and accomplishments. Warmest love and condolences.
Huma
January 3, 2024
My heartfelt condolences to Linda and family. So so sorry to hear this - thinking of you. With love, Huma
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 results
Make a Donation
in David Rethwisch's name
Memorial Events
for David Rethwisch
How to support David's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor David Rethwisch's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
