David Ross Ketcham

David Ross Ketcham of Redding, CT died at home on January 25th following a valiant battle with cancer. Born in Summit, NJ, on March 25, 1948, Dave graduated from Summit High School in 1966. He graduated from Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia, in 1970 with a degree in Communications, which was followed by a Master's degree in Business Administration from Penn State. At Bethany, Dave was an active member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity where he made many friends who would continue to contribute positively to his life until the very end of it. He enjoyed a thirty year career with Sealed Air Corporation of Danbury, CT, rising to Regional Sales Manager where the people he managed remained close friends even after his retirement in 2002. He led by example, dedicated to personal and business integrity, with his characteristic irrepressible spirit. He also enjoyed civic life in Redding and formed lasting friendships as a founding member of the Redding Raiders softball team-- and was often chief burger flipper at the annual Redding Town Hall cookout. Throughout his life Dave Ketcham gathered friends who never left his side, from his earliest days in elementary school through his last activities as an adult. He was known and loved for his genuine interest in people, his keen sense of humor and positive attitude even in the face of adversity-and always his love of the game, whether on the field or off. Dave's passion for sports, both as spectator and participant, was second only to his love of family and friends. Long after his own children graduated from Joel Barlow High School, Dave could be seen waving from the bleachers at Barlow basketball and football games, rooting for the home team. Dave met his future wife of 40 years, Natalie Ketcham, Redding's First Selectman, at Summit High School. They married in Summit, NJ in October 1971, and moved to Redding in 1980. He is also survived by their children Brian Ketcham and Sarah Kingsolver, Sarah's husband John Kingsolver and their children, Lily and Charlotte. He is also survived by a brother Scott Ketcham and a nephew Tom Marshall. He was predeceased by his parents Sanford and Francis Ketcham and sister Audrey Marshall. Friends are invited to gather for a celebration of Dave's life on Saturday, February 18th at 11am at Tarrywile Mansion in Danbury, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Parade Path memorial garden, P.O. Box 1028, Redding Center, CT 06875. His family also encourages Dave's friends to perform random acts of kindness in his memory.