David Stephen Seidenzahl

1957 - 2025

David Stephen Seidenzahl

November 24, 1957 - February 24, 2025

San Luis Obispo, California - David Stephen Seidenzahl a beloved figure in the Central Coast music scene passed away February 24, 2025, at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center following a sudden illness. He was 67.

An avid musician, kayaker, scuba diver, golfer, and community volunteer, Dave was at home behind the grill at the San Luis Obispo Elks Lodge or talking music over an Irish Coffee at McCarthy's.

Dave was born November 24, 1957, in Georgia to Richard Chester Seidenzahl and Patricia Rose Seidenzahl. He was the second of four children. His father, a major in the United States Air Force, served in the Vietnam War and in the U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command, which saw the family travel to military bases across the country throughout the children's childhoods.

The Seidenzahl family settled in Vacaville, CA, and Dave fell in love with music at Vacaville High School, where he convinced a teacher to allow him to earn school credit while working at a local music equipment store. He graduated Vacaville High School, Class of '75, and followed several friends to San Luis Obispo County, where he continued his studies at Cuesta College.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990's, Dave worked in various fields including printing, graphic design, and computer engineering. He spent the late 1990s and the early 2000s working at IPTech in San Luis Obispo.

Dave was an outstanding member of the SLO Elks Lodge, where he organized music performances and was honored multiple times for his charity outreach efforts. He was named SLO Elks' Volunteer of the Year in 2023.

Dave was ubiquitous in the local music scene. He was a regular among staff and volunteers for KCBX-FM Public Radio's annual Live Oak Music Fest, as well as for Whale Rock (formerly Beaverstock), the SLO Jazz Fest, the SLO Jade Fest, and the Pozo Stampede, where he was proud to have met one of his heroes, Merle Haggard. Dave also long served as a judge for the annual SLO New Times Music Awards.

A talented musician himself, Dave played guitar and mandolin in several bands throughout the Central Coast, including Mercury Rising and Abner Malady & The Village Idiots alongside long-time friends Billy Foppiano and David "Mad Dog" Norton.

In addition to music, Dave was most proud of his 15 years with the Central Coast Salmon Enhancement project, in which he raised the fish in floating pens in Avila Bay at the Port San Luis/Hartford Pier. He was also proud of his years with the American Lung Association and was part of the organization's historic effort to prohibit indoor smoking within the City of San Luis Obispo.

Dave is survived by siblings Richard Foster Seidenzahl of Vacaville, CA; Linda Camille Seidenzahl of Medford, OR; and Matthew Curtis Seidenzahl of Monterey, CA.

The San Luis Obispo Elks Lodge will hold an all-day live music event in Seidenzahl's honor on April 5, 2025. The event at 222 Elks Lane will be open to all members of the public.

In lieu of flowers, the Seidenzahl family requests that donations be made in David Seidenzahl's name to KCBX Public Radio and the American Lung Association.