David John Vialard

1976 - 2018

David John Vialard
June 4, 1976 - July 15, 2018

David John Vialard, loving father/husband and a rising pioneer in the field of Technical Communication and Rhetoric is fondly remembered for his selfless nature and intellectual perspective.
David was the loving and devoted husband of Olaya Landa-Vialard for more than 14 years. Spending time together as a family with daughter Evelyn was his most cherished passion.
A PhD candidate at Texas Tech University and assistant professor at Heartland College, David died of a heart attack Sunday at his home in El Paso, Ill. He was 42.
David was born in Plymouth, Indiana on June 4, 1976 to parents Irene Vialard and John Vialard. He attended St. Michael's Elementary School before high school at Plymouth High School. At PHS he was an active leader of the Speech and Debate Team. He graduated with Honors from Marian College in Indianapolis with a degree in History.
After college he joined the Teach for America program through AmeriCorps, which took him to Houston, Texas. A beloved classroom elementary teacher, he challenged himself to compete in Ironman Triathlons and completed five. He met his future wife Olaya and the romance blossomed quickly. They were married in Houston, where David proudly became a father when they welcomed Evelyn to the world.  
The pursuit of advanced degrees took the family to Lubbock, Texas where Dave started work on his PhD in Technical Communication and Rhetoric, with a focus in audio description for the visual impaired. Eventually working on his doctorate remotely, David moved with his family to El Paso, Ill. His work received global recognition and he was requested to present papers in Prague and Barcelona.   
He is survived by wife, Olaya; daughter, Evelyn; his mother, Irene Vialard of Plymouth; his father, John Vialard and wife Linda (Plymouth); brother, Dan Vialard and wife Maureen and sons Elliot and Oliver of Rochester Hills, Mich.; mother-in-law, Ana Landa of Houston, Texas; sister-in-law, Trini Contreras and husband Ralph and son Ralphie of Houston, Texas; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Family, Friends, and others whose lives David touched are invited to the Van Gilder Funeral Home 300 w. Madison St. Plymouth, Ind. 46563 from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, July 19, with funeral mass at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Friday, July 20 at 11am.  
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a fund to support Evelyn's education.
Van Gilder Funeral Home is privileged to be entrusted in arranging the services.
Condolences may be left at vangilderfuneralhome.com.