David C. Deppe, 76, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away peacefully in hospice care on Sept. 9, at Charleston Area Medical Center, Charleston, West Virginia, after suffering a stroke. Dave was born Oct. 21, 1946 in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he attended grade school and junior high. He lived with Bun and Bettie Wilson and their children Nancy (Kimball), Doug, and Matt during his high school years in Horton, KS, and Enid, Oklahoma.

Dave met Marilyn Cowgill, his wife of 56 years, at Phillips University in Enid. Actually, she asked him out on the first date. They had a double wedding with her sister Gayle and Ben Vest in May, 1967. Transferring to the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Dave graduated with a BS and MS in microbiology. Graduate ROTC earned him a commission as Second Lieutenant in the Army Chemical Corp with a 3 year assignment to Germany (Schweinfurt and Wurzburg), where he made life long friends, and 3 years at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, as Post Chemical Officer. He resigned his commission with the rank of Captain.

So began his civilian career, first with Michelin Tire Corp. as district manager in Columbus, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas. Realizing he was tired of traveling and "plastic food", they moved to Lincoln and bought Big Red Auto Parts. Later, Dave joined Nebraska Farm Bureau in membership services, again honing new skills, meeting new people and loving his work. After 14 years as an instructor and liaison between Information Technology and Sales at Church Mutual Insurance in Merrill, Wisconsin, Dave retired in 2012.

In retirement, Dave's goals were to visit all the U.S. National Parks, read at least one biography of every U.S. President, Churchill, and other world leaders, and spend time with family and grandchildren. He accomplished 2 of those goals. He only visited 49 national parks, though he loved writing and sharing itineraries and anecdotes with family for each travel adventure.

Music was always present in Dave's life. At Phillips he played baritone and tenor saxophone in the stage band, the highlight of his life playing with Doc Severinsen. He played guitar with college friends, wrote music and poetry. There were always other musicians to jam and sing with where ever he lived. He delighted in playing and singing with his children, Kerstin Deppe (Steven Jasper) of Lenexa, KS, and Dave Deppe (Jill Hays Deppe) of Cleveland, MO; he was passionately proud of his grandchildren and beloved by Madison Deppe (Dagan Haehn), Macy Deppe, Gavin Delaney, Maggie Deppe, Axel Delaney, and great granddaughter Honey Lynn Haehn.

Dave found beauty in simple, everyday things including the outdoors, a bird's song, the movement of the clouds, a sunrise or sunset, the mountains, and the mirror of the lake whether it was boating in the pontoon or vacationing at a lake house. If he could see the water, or the mountains, he was at peace. He often said, "It can't get any better than this!" When not on the water, most afternoons he would write until gong out to the balcony to watch the hummingbirds, enjoy the flowers and the fountain.

In addition to his wife, Marilyn, children, grandchildren, and great granddaughter, Dave is survived by his mother Patricia Langfeldt of South Carolina, sisters Kriste Wood of Maine, Bryanne McCurry of South Carolina, sisters-in-law Gayle Vest (Ben) of West Virginia, Joyce Miller of Olathe, KS, Jane Deppe of Lincoln, NE, and nieces and nephews. His father L.G. Deppe, stepmother Wilma, and brother Kyle Deppe preceded him in death.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the National Audubon Society, American Stroke Association, or a charity of your choice.

A Celebration of Life will be held Nov. 9 at Saint Andrew Christian Church, Olathe, Kansas, at 2 p.m. A reception will follow.