David L. Neisch

David Neisch February 14, 1929 - March 13, 2013 David L. Neisch of Waco passed away very suddenly in his sleep Wednesday, March 13, 2013, at his residence after playing 18 holes of golf on Tuesday. A memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 18, at First United Methodist Church of Waco, with the Reverends Stephen Ramsdell and Wayne Williams officiating. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m., Sunday, March 17, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. Dave was born February 14, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan, to Leroy and Inez Neisch. At the age of six, he was baptized in the Central Methodist Church, in which his parents and grandparents were members. Dave entered the University of Michigan in 1946 and, on the first day of classes, he met the girl of his dreams, Ruth Oestreicher, a brown-eyed sweetheart of Sigma Chi. He was a member of the varsity swimming team, became a member of the 1948 National Championship swimming team, lettered three years, became a two time All American and captain of the team his senior year. Upon graduation, he also captained an American team which toured the British Isles, conducting clinics to teach competitive swimming to local youngsters. Ruth and Dave married upon his return from Europe. He served in the Army during the Korean War and was stationed at Fort Bliss, in El Paso, Texas. In 1954, he was hired by Oldsmobile Division of General Motors and became a sales representative in support of Oldsmobile dealers. As he was given increased responsibilities he, and his growing family, moved around the country; living first in Lansing, then Kansas City, Odessa, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Indianapolis, Chicago, Houston, New York and Atlanta. Prior to retirement, he was a sales and marketing executive at Oldsmobile headquarters in Lansing, Michigan. Upon retirement in 1987, Mr. and Mrs. Neisch returned to Texas to make their home in Waco. Soon thereafter, they became members of First United Methodist Church, where Mr. Neisch served in various volunteer positions that included a missionary trip to Ecuador. Travel was one of his passions. He and his family were fortunate to have visited every state in the nation and, in later years, he and his wife enjoyed traveling to many foreign countries. They would often rent cars in order to mix with people in their own environment. Since he first came to Waco, Dave enjoyed playing in a weekly gin game with as fine a group of men as one could find. He enriched them generously. He also enjoyed playing golf with an equally fine group of men, and he achieved his fourth hole-in-one on November 16, 2010. An additional group Dave really loved was his small group-friends from his New Horizons Sunday School Class. Their Sunday evening sessions were both challenging and fun. He had enjoyed greatly being part of the Friday morning Bible study group, led by Pastor Steve. Dave considered himself a very fortunate individual and the Lord had, indeed, made His face smile upon him. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Carol Manley; and a brother, Bill. Dave is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years; four wonderful children, Lindy Gerard and her husband, Steve, of Colorado Springs, Dan Neisch and his wife, Marilyn, of Houston, Sue DeVos and her husband, Larry, of Atlanta, David Neisch Jr. and his wife, Barbara, also of Atlanta; eight grandchildren, Chris Gerard and his wife, Harley, Jennifer Gerard, Julie Neisch, Michael Neisch and his wife, Mandy, Andrew Neisch, Katie and Leslie DeVos, and David Alexander Neisch; and great grandson, Thompson Gerard. We thank you for any memorials made to the Pastor's discretionary fund of First United Methodist Church or to a charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey