David A. Mersbach

David Allen Mersbach, age 82, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 16 from complications during cancer treatment surgery. He was surrounded by family and his minister going into the surgery and is now in God’s arms, free of pain and spared from any suffering.

Dave was born in Oak Park, Illinois in 1933 to Allen E. and Florence C. Mersbach. He grew up a swimmer and enjoyed spending his summers as a camp counselor. He attended the University of Illinois where he was a member of the Chi Phi Fraternity, lettered in swimming and diving, and was a manager of the Illini football team. After college, he served as a captain in the United States Air Force and spent time on the base in Fairbanks, Alaska before settling into civilian life with a new position as an investment banker with Dean Witter Reynolds. He was loyal to Dean Witter for 46 years before retiring with the firm, now called Morgan Stanley, in 2006.

Raised as an only child, Dave looked forward to having a large family when he married the lovely Gail Ann Bruening on November 5, 1960. They soon welcomed a son, David Allen Jr, followed by Sally Mersbach Garland, Tom Mersbach and later his wife Pride Shaw Mersbach, and Kristi Mersbach Dovidas. They began their family life in the suburbs of Chicago where they enjoyed curling, bridge, and their many friends, then moved the family to warm sunny Texas to make the most of life as a swimmer and golfer! Dave’s rich life included many vacations and holidays spent with family in Missouri and Indiana, as well as ski trips enjoying the majesty of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, golf, time in Hawaii with family, traveling with his wife and their friends, and of course, swimming. As a dedicated family man, Dave always put family first and spent much of his time with his children and grandchildren and attended their many performances, games, and celebrations. Dave was generous and giving and loved his family with all of his heart. He loved his country too and spent time in his retired years involved with the local MOWW group.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Gail Bruening Mersbach, children Sally Mersbach Garland, Tom and Pride Mersbach, Kristi Mersbach Dovidas, grandchildren Alana and Nick Garland, Kailey and Trace Mersbach, Sydney and Grant Dovidas, as well as sister-in-law Joyce Bruening Huston, Sandy Bruening Vollmer, and brother-in-law Jim Vollmer.

Dave was preceeded in death by his parents, Al and Florence Mersbach, son David Allen Jr, and brother-in-law Dave Huston. He will be deeply missed, but we take comfort in the fact that he has been reunited with his loved ones in the loving arms of the Lord.

A memorial service will be held in his honor at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Plano on Monday, December 21 at 2:00 pm in the main sanctuary, with a reception immediately following in Piro Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to: St. Andrew United Methodist Church Student Ministries 5801 W. Plano Parkway Plano TX 75093 or to the charity of your choice.