David Wayne Mulder

David W. Mulder, 75, passed away in Salt Lake City, UT, in his sleep at his Sugarhouse home of over 40 years on December 29, 2018. He had had a great Christmas and he was looking forward to a new year with his new dog.

Dave was born in Grandville, MI on November 2, 1943, to Walter and Margie Mulder, though Walter, who was serving in the Philippines during WW II, was unable to see his new son until his return home in 1944. Dave and his older sister Carol grew up as the local dentist’s kids in their tight-knit Grandville community.

Dave and his wife Shelley married in 1963 and built a family, starting with their son, Paul, and later their daughter, Maggie. In the beginning of the young family’s life, Dave was busy pursuing advanced degrees in clinical psychology, which took them from Michigan to Salt Lake City in 1969. There, Dave would receive his doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Utah in 1973. Dave spent most of his career as the Assistant Director of Columbus Community Center, part of Johnson’s Great Society that continues to serve people with intellectual and physical disabilities in the Salt Lake Valley.

Dave chose to take an early retirement to care for his wife Shelley when she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease. He cared for her full time for 15 years until she passed in 2015.

Dave was an avid sports fan (particularly major league baseball and college football), a renowned lunchtime pool shark, a classic country music fan, a carpenter and woodworker, a reliable campaign volunteer, a respected coworker and expert, and an advocate for those who needed society’s help. He served on many community and agency boards, most notably at Zion Lutheran Church, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, and with the Sugarhouse Community Council, helping his beloved neighborhood of over 45 years evolve into the busy metropolis it is today. Most of all, he possessed a huge and empathetic heart. He will be sorely missed.

Dave is survived by his son Paul Mulder and his wife Amy Parkin; his daughter Maggie Crockett and her husband Brett; his precious grandchildren, Lily and Zeke Crockett; his brother-in-law Bob Vanderlaan and nephews Wayne Vanderlaan (Sue), Dale Vanderlaan (Jessica), and Lee Vanderlaan; and many other extended family members in western Michigan.

A memorial service will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 2500 E 3900 S, Salt Lake City, on Monday, January 21 at 11 am. A light lunch will be served following the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his name may be made to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Dave will be interred at Wasatch Lawn in Salt Lake City next to his wife at a private family service this spring.