David was married to Mary E. Dickert (Philadelphia) in 1961. During their 62 years of marriage, they had
4 children. Marybeth Eyler (Scott) of Mt Joy PA, Jennifer Rausch (John) of Mendon MA, David
Montgomery (Jennifer) of Snohomish WA, Meg Burdick of Perkasie, PA. Dave and Mary were blessed
with 9 grandchildren – Alexa, Trey (Brooke) Bury, David Luke, Rebecca, Marie, Harrison and Caleb Rausch
and Brooke and Owen Burdick.
David was the youngest of five children born in Philadelphia. He graduated from Northeast High School
(Philadelphia) in 1955. Immediately after high school, he began his career at Sears and Roebuck where
he worked as a carpenter. After his retirement from Sears, he continued his craft at Luther A Nash in
Doylestown, PA.
An avid outdoorsman, Dave enjoyed hunting in PA and in Montana, gardening, and the simple
enjoyment of nature. He loved bringing nature into his home and property – creating a sanctuary for
deer, racoons, red fox families and tons of other little creatures on Snake Hill Road. He was a gentle
man with a love for animals. His quiet spirit connected with his animals, mostly dogs and cats – and
various other animals (Woodie the frog and Captain the cockatiel) over his 80+ years of life. He enjoyed
having his family raise 6 Seeing Eye Dogs through 4H.
He was also a highly skilled woodworker. He built his parents a home in Buckingham when he was in his
20’s. He then went on to build for his own family an adjacent home in the early 1970s. He raised his
family in Buckingham and lived there until they moved to Lancaster County in 2022. As a woodworker,
he spent his retirement days in his shop making furniture and projects for his family. His shop was a
family focal point – where everyone enjoyed congregating, talking and laughing.
His kids and grandchildren absolutely shrieked with laughter when he played “mousey” with them. He
loved making special memories with Shorty the elf and his magical house that Dave built. He was always
quietly thinking of others and making special connections and memories with each one.
He was known for his humor, caring and quiet spirit and warmth. He was a gentle soul who took his
time to do quality work. Dave would be known for a few sayings like “Measure twice, cut once”,
“Neatness Counts” and “Kill em with Kindness”.
Services will be private for immediate family. In the spring, family will hold a Celebration of Life to
remember Dave. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in David’s name at Hospice and Community
Care (Lancaster) 685 Good Drive, PO Box 4125 Lancaster, PA 17604 or Habitat for Humanity.
Cremation Services of Lancaster 717-CREMATE