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BORN
1970
DIED
2014
David Heinlein Obituary
March 14,1970-May 17,2014
Soquel
David Sean "Dabo" Heinlein, age 44, passed away suddenly at his Soquel home on May 17th. David grew up in Sunnyvale and San Jose before moving to Boulder Creek in 1985 where he attended San Lorenzo Valley High School. He went to Cal State Monterey Bay and UCSC, earning a BS in Environment Studies. His working career was in regional planning, and he worked for the counties of Santa Cruz and Monerey as an environmental/Regional and Senior Planner.
David was an accomplished SCUBA diver, achieving master/rescue diver. After becoming disabled at 36, he dove less and turned to other volunteering opportunities. He worked at a Saturday "reach out" sponsored by the ASPCA, as well as the Friends of the Santa Cruz Libraries. He continued some diving -- more controlled, first as a volunteer dive instructor., then for shorter dives for the California State Fish and Game where he "counted fish" in the Bay to determine the impact of pollution on the fish population. He volunteered with the Dive Center of Santa Cruz and Adventure Sports to teach beginning SCUBA, and volunteered for harbor dives, cleaning moored boats of underwater debris.
David was a kind, gentle spirit, and loving father and son. He would move mountains to help the people he loved. He was a steadfast caregiver to his mother after her 2010 brain surgery. But even when most ill, he never lost his sense of humor or decency.
He is survived by his daughter, Taylor Stone, 19, of Scotts Valley; his parents, Earl E. Heinlein, Jr of Campbell, and Susan W. Heinlein of Soquel; his brothers, Joe Heinlein of San Jose, and Matthew of Pennsylvania; his Baltimore uncles Steven and Christopher; East Coast aunts Beatrice, Lois and Georgia; Palm Springs aunts Vicki and Carolyn; "adopted" aunt Carola of Aptos; plus many friends around the SF Bay Area.
Services are being held at the Soquel Congregational Church on Soquel Drive on June 20^th at 11 am. After the service there will be a reception in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, honor David by donating to Animal Shelter Relief, P.O. Box 2682, Santa Cruz, CA 95063
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for David Heinlein
Sponsored by santacruzsentinel.com.
B
June 7, 2025
Time may pass ... but, we miss our loved ones more. They live on in our hearts.
Earl Heinlein
May 17, 2018
David, my son, I carry you forever, in my mind, my heart, and my soul.Your loving father,Earl
Stephanie
October 4, 2016
That sweatshirt still resides on my passenger seat.
Susan Heinlein
October 3, 2016
I still smile when I think of you - your generosity, friendship, rich sense of humor and irony. I'm so blessed to have had you in my life. I hope we meet again. Mom
October 18, 2014
It's been five months since you said sayonara. You are my "prayer" before I fall asleep each night and the first thought I have upon waking in the morning. And if I'm particularly lucky you manage to make an appearance in my dreams. xxx SH
July 8, 2014
You are deeply missed, Dabo.
Girlie
Jerry Busch
June 17, 2014
Sweet, kind, funny, brash, surprising -- David always always had a deadpan joke or barb to make the day go faster. If it wasn't a jest or dig, it was an act of art that could subsidize conversation for years. He was a mover who got the most out of life, but took the time to look well after his family. He was a great guy who deserved a lot better shake. David, you made a great run; now you can rest easy in your big waterbed in the sky ...
June 17, 2014
I worked with David @ the Santa Cruz Planning Dept. I have some wonderful memories of him. I am shocked to hear of his passing. May your love & memories of David bring you peace & comfort always. Lori Darnley
Koana
June 17, 2014
What a loss,David was such a sweetheart and a joy to be around,our thoughts are with susan
B
June 13, 2014
So very heartbreaking. David must have been a truly good and caring young man. He showed great love and compassion when he lovingly cared for his Mother. Treasure the memory of David.....and, do unto others as he did.
June 13, 2014
Our deepest sympathies on the loss of David. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Steve and Laurie Stone
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