Yeoman, David Charles

David Charles Yeoman, 75, passed away peacefully at his home in rural Marion on May 30, 2012.

He will be dearly missed by his wife of nearly 53 years, Mary; his children, Janet Staley (Jansen) of Robins, David Yeoman (Julie) of Mount Vernon, and Jennifer Waskow (Kurt) of Toddville; his 11 grandchildren, Matthew, Nathan, Adrianne, Allyson, Jessica, Elizabeth and Rebekah Staley, Sarah and Catherine Yeoman, and Jack and John Waskow; and his siblings, Richard Yeoman (Nancy) of Algona and Margaret Lieb (Gene) of Waverly.

Dave was born Nov. 23, 1936, to Bernard and Mary Helen Yeoman. He grew up in Webster City and Algona, Iowa, and attended Iowa State University.

During his 41-year career as an engineer with Collins Radio (Rockwell Collins), Dave traveled the world supporting projects in Alaska, Brazil, China, France, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel and Sweden, among others. In his retirement, he and Mary built a successful video business - Vantage Point Video - and recorded hundreds of weddings and special events throughout Iowa.

Dave had many interests and hobbies. His love of music began at a young age when he played the trumpet in his high school band. Later in life he played with several area bands, including the New Horizons and the Shriners band. He also enjoyed singing and playing his guitar. An avid woodworker, he built everything from furniture and heirlooms to the house in which he and Mary raised their children and continued to live until his death.

Beyond his family, Dave's greatest passion was flying. He earned his pilot's license in 1960 and, over the years, has owned and flown several aircraft, including his home built “Scooter” which he kept at his airstrip home, Wingspread.

He was a lifetime member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and was active at the local, state and national levels, including many years on the organization's board of directors. During EAA's early years, Dave was a regular entertainer at its annual convention in Oshkosh, Wis., playing his guitar and singing about EAA and his love of flying. He also volunteered to record and make available more than 20,000 speeches and forums presented at the event over the past 40 years, capturing the voices and stories of hundreds of aviation pioneers and innovators. Camping at “Oshkosh” became a favorite event for Dave and his family - a tradition that today extends to many of his children and grandchildren.

Dave was caring, honest, steadfast and wise. He could always be counted on for sound advice and loved to make others laugh with a joke or clever comment. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and friend, readily giving his time and efforts to support his family and help others.

Throughout his life he was also an active member of the Otter Creek Lions Club, the Alburnett school board, Faith Bible Church and New Covenant Bible Church.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 4, at New Covenant Bible Church, with burial at Dunkard Cemetery in Midway. A visitation will be held Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. at Murdoch Funeral Home in Marion.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in his name.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Anne.

Published June 1, 2012 in The Gazette