David J. Zuelke took us all (and most likely himself) by surprise, breathing his last breath on May 6, 2024, in Holland, Michigan. Despite smoking a pipe for as long as we can remember and never without his coffee thermos, he never spent a day in the hospital until his final hours. His last conversation with his daughter the day before he passed included him wanting to work on his car and head down to the beach, two constants in his life.

David Zuelke was born on August 8, 1939, in Maywood, Illinois to the late Fred and Nancy (Close) Zuelke. David joined his two older brothers, Larry and Dick Zuelke, and his little sister, Mary Bayne who predeceased him by only three months. While David may have had fond memories from his childhood, his mother's cooking was not one of them.

David was relieved to escape his mother's cooking and joined the army in 1963. The army gave David his first taste of Germany where he was stationed as a clerk typist at the US Army Headquarters of Europe in Heidelberg. His love of beer and sausages was born and perhaps his appetite for 'good food'. We had a phrase in our family known as the 'fill up David' standard. The man could eat!

Germany was a magical place for him and later became a favorite place to visit his oldest daughter who now lives there with her family. He repeatedly told stories of his nights at the student bar, Zum Seppl. He schemed ways to extend his stay after his dispatch. But he eventually returned to the US and used his GI bill to pursue a master's degree in education from Western Michigan University. This led him to Sault Ste. Marie, his self-imposed exile in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where he worked as a school guidance counselor. It was there that he met his future wife, Patricia Zuelke, whom he rescued from unwanted advances at a local bar. They went on to spend 46 years together.

Patricia predeceased David in 2016 and was probably surprised to hold his strong, gentle hands again. David and Patricia had two daughters Amy Zuelke Keller (Bernard Keller) of Konstanz, Germany, Anne Zuelke (Shane Dykhuis) of Holland, Michigan, and their number-one son Aaron Zuelke (Sara Zuelke) of Spring Lake, Michigan. David loved his eight grandchildren, Christopher Keller of Berlin, Luke Zuelke of Spring Lake, Lillian Zuelke of Spring Lake, Carina Keller of Konstanz, Elijah Zuelke of Spring Lake, Henry Keller of Konstanz, Freddie Dykhuis of Holland, and Dash Dykhuis of Holland.

One of David's greatest joys in life was watching his kids. He wasn't a big sports fan, but he was a huge fan of his kids and never missed one of their sporting events. In his sixties, he decided to pick up running and completed the Chicago marathon in 1999. He said the free beer at the end is what kept him going.

David knew how to enjoy the little things. He was happy living vicariously through his kids and grandkids and loved to share family updates or political posts on social media. A fixture in his neighborhood near Lake Michigan he would do his daily 'triathlon', by riding his old fixed-gear bicycle, the 'beach rocket', down to the lake and then taking a 'dip'. After his swim, it would be leisurely walks looking for fossils and other tiny treasures. Often alone by the shore, he would comment why he didn't see more people enjoying this natural wonder.

He loved a great meal and a good glass of wine, and maybe a nice French brandy to finish it off. In many ways, David rejected the 'rat' race and perhaps knew the secret to good living. Striving for stuff isn't where it's at, but a good book, a walk on the beach, and a homemade meal were the things that mattered.

David leaves behind a 60-year-old snow blower, two dismantled Citroën DS station wagons, a 70-year-old prayer plant, and a garage full of unfinished projects. While David wouldn't want anyone to make a big deal about him (after all, he just 'croaked'), a celebration of life with plenty of coffee and red wine is planned for August with immediate family and close friends.

In David's honor, go for an extra swim this summer and consider donating to Alliance for the Great Lakes to protect his beloved 'Lady Lake'.