David Michael Fischbach

ABERDEEN - The funeral service for David Michael Fischbach, 47, of Aberdeen, will be 10 a.m., Wednesday July 19, 2006 at First United Methodist Church with Pastor Tom Haggar and Pastor Dave Bambas officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Memorial Park, Aberdeen. David died July 14, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital, Aberdeen. Visitation will be 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 18 at Spitzer Funeral Home, 320 6th Ave. SE, Aberdeen, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. David Michael Fischbach was born on February 21, 1959 to Joseph and Kathleen (Chittick) Fischbach at Aberdeen, SD. He grew up on the family farm near Mellette, SD and attended elementary school at Brentford. David graduated from Northwestern High School in 1977. In high school he was a student athletic trainer and played in band and a jazz band. David then went on to South Dakota State University where he was an athletic trainer for the football and gymnastic teams. He graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing and a Minor in Athletic Training. During college, David worked as an EMT at the Brooking's hospital. David married Tevan Cronk on May 26, 1984 at Aberdeen. David worked at the Redfield State School as a Registered Nurse. They then moved to Wayne, NJ where he worked as a school nurse and was an athletic trainer. David and Tevan moved back to Aberdeen where he began work at Dakota Midland Hospital in the Pediatric Unit. Later he took a job in the Rehabilitation Department at Avera St. Luke's Hospital. He is one of three of the original nurses that worked there when it opened. David was a member of First United Methodist Church of Aberdeen. He worked as an EMT for the Aberdeen Ambulance Service for a time and held several offices for the EMT Association. David was a true humanitarian and loved to help others. He was past president of the American Cancer Society, and volunteered with the Special Olympics. David was an athletic trainer for the Aberdeen Varsity Soccer Team and worked with the All Star Games. One of his greatest joys came from volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, where he served in various positions, including president. David was awarded the Habitat for Humanity Outstanding Supporter award for Hub Area Habitat for Humanity. He also helped family and friends with various building projects. He also was active with the Aberdeen Living Christmas Tree. David enjoyed the outdoors and farmed occasionally throughout the years. He liked to camp, hunt and fish. Grateful for having shared David's life are his wife, Tevan of Aberdeen; two sons: Brandon and Jared Fischbach, both of Aberdeen; his parents, Joseph and Kathleen Fischbach, Rapid City, SD; five brothers: Daniel (Joan) Fischbach, Trenton, Missouri; Jerome (Shawna) Fischbach, Moorcroft, WY; Jon (Tamra) Fischbach, Watertown, SD; Bernard (Barbara) Fischbach, Southlake, TX; and Victor Fischbach, Mellette, SD; one sister, Camille (Paul) Kiolbasa, Stillwater, MN; mother-in-law, Nelda (Kenneth) Jorgenson, Aberdeen, four aunts and uncles: Bernard (Alvina) Fischbach, Mellette, SD; James (Judith) Chittick, Advance, NC; Margaret (Kenneth) Oliphant, Portland, OR; and Jim Downey, Gautier, Mississippi; thirteen nieces and nephews: Nicole and Amber Fischbach, Trey, Tacey, Tianne and Talissa Fischbach, Benjamin and Danyelle Fischbach, Emily, Eddie and Anne Kiolbasa, and Olivia and Connor Fischbach. David was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Victor and Mary Chittick; paternal grandparents, Bernard and Blanche Fischbach; his nephew, Terry Joseph Fischbach; father-in-law, Joe Cronk; two uncles, Cyril Fischbach and Don (Dorris) Fischbach; and his aunt, Patricia Downey. The family would prefer memorials be made to Habitat for Humanity, PO Box 406, Aberdeen, SD, 57401; American Cancer Society, 525 5th St. SE Suite #4, Watertown, SD 57201; or the First United Methodist Church Building Fund, 502 S. Lincoln St., Aberdeen, SD 57401.