David John Showerman, beloved husband, son, father, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, lost his 9-year battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) on April 14th, 2021. He thus embarked on the last of his many earthly journeys and made his way home to begin eternity with his Heavenly Father.
David was diagnosed with ALS in 2012, after experiencing symptoms that confused many doctors and therapists. Once he understood what he faced, he became a tireless fighter in the cause to raise awareness of ALS and generate funding for research and treatment that could help find a cure for the disease. He met with leaders across the spectrums of medicine, business and government seeking action on ALS funding. He once remarked after a meeting in Arizona with Senator John McCain, a friendly rival from the United States Naval Academy, that he thought there was real hope that he had pushed the cause forward. Indeed he had. As a recognized public speaker on the impacts of the disease, he was asked to be the keynote speaker for the Arizona Chapter of the ALS Association at their annual Bite Nite fundraiser in 2017. As a member of the association’s board, his mission was to not only help find a cure, but to raise money for other ALS patients that did not have the resources or insurance available to them to receive the necessary care. On that particular night, he helped raise record amounts of funding to fight the disease and to help scores of others who suffered from ALS.
Born in Howell, MI on August 12, 1961, David was exceptionally active as a young boy. He often thought of himself as a “great outdoorsman,” especially as he led his siblings and friends through nearby woods, in building forts, camping in the pines, trapping muskrats, and raising steer for 4H, of which he was exceptionally proud. During his high school years, he enjoyed spending time with his friends, participating in musicals, and demonstrating his athletic ability while playing football and pole-vaulting on the track team.
Perhaps it was in part his love of the outdoors, but certainly his gift of leadership, that led David to leave his home in Frankenmuth, Michigan, after high school, and enroll in the United States Military Academy. Appointed by Congressman Bob Traxler, who commented, “I am delighted to appoint someone as outstanding as David to West Point. I am confident that David will carry on the best traditions of the military and be a credit to his community and his country.” Truer words could not have been spoken. Amongst the arriving “New Cadets” David stood apart, with his ramrod straight posture and his good-natured ability to endure the “hazing” rituals while lifting up those of his new classmates who were struggling.
West Point’s mission is to educate, train, and inspire “Leaders of Character.” The institution was certainly successful in the case of David. He excelled there academically, athletically, and militarily; so much so that he was one of only two cadets in his company selected to be the Cadet Captain and Company Commander of his unit during his senior year.
Upon graduation from West Point in 1984, David was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant of Infantry in the United States Army. Thus he began his career of exemplary service to the nation. He successfully completed the Army’s rigorous Infantry Officer’s Course, Airborne School, and the Mortar Platoon Leader Course. He was assigned as Platoon Leader in the 25th Infantry “Tropic Lightning” Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He quickly became a well-respected and loved leader of soldiers, many of whom remained in contact with him for decades to come.
This period also marked the beginning of David’s life-long love of the ocean and fascination with the Hawaiian Islands, Hawaiian culture and the Hawaiian people. He frequently returned to Hawaii after his Army service there ended, often with family and friends. It was a place that seemed to provide nourishment, happiness, and a sense of peace to David. Shortly after his diagnosis on a visit to Honolulu in 2012, with his beloved wife Tricia and many friends, David stood watching the last blues fading on the waves at Lanikai Beach and said, “The sea and sky are ours. My friends are sun and storm. I am home here.”
After completing his active-duty service obligation, David continued to serve in the Army Reserves, from which he proudly retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2007. While in the Reserves, he also enrolled in and ultimately graduated from one of the nation’s finest business schools, the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, from which he received a Master’s Degree in Business administration in 1991.
The same attributes that made him so successful in the military also carried David to great success in the business world. He worked for many years in the telecommunications industry, with his last position being in Corporate Real Estate for Level 3 Communications, then the world’s largest competitive local exchange carrier and the third largest provider of internet access in the United States. He was often recognized by colleagues and throughout the industry as “absolutely brilliant” and “incredibly resourceful.” He continued in this demanding role, driving performance and delivering results, even as ALS drained his strength and mobility.
After his diagnosis, David became even more articulate and passionate about his priorities, beliefs, and goals. He was a patriot who spoke often of his hopes for our Nation, even as it sank into the chaos of a pandemic. He would always stand with pride and salute as the National Anthem was played, even as he struggled to stand and even when he no longer had the strength or ability to lift his arms.
David spoke with deep love and devotion for his children in whom he had so much pride and for whom he always had so much hope. He always supported his kids and their efforts in whatever path they chose for their lives. He enjoyed watching basketball and playing board games with them, while sharing his favorite “go-to” meal – pizza. He spoke often of his love for his family, many of whom rallied around him in his final days, to offer encouragement, prayers, support, and love. He spoke particularly of his passionate love for and devotion to his wife Tricia. Married on January 12, 2008, David often recounted how he only wished he had met her sooner; his love, and gratitude, for her never wavered.
David frequently testified to others that it was his relationship with God that guided him and gave him strength and courage throughout his life, especially during his 9-year battle with ALS. He also found much peace and joy listening and dancing to all kinds of music, especially in his last few years of life.
A guiding theme throughout David’s life was that people mattered. Relationships mattered. He strived to nurture the relationships he had with his wife, his children, his family and his friends – even strangers, who weren’t strangers for long. He reveled in the long friendships that sustained him throughout his life. His loyalty and devotion to his friends were often a guiding force in his outlook on life. A glance back and one can still see David’s sly smile and hear his witty responses and infectious laughter as he shared his love with those lucky enough to be called his friends.
David will be remembered as a tremendously kind, generous, loving man who truly saw the goodness and beauty in everyone as he looked at others through a lens of grace and understanding. His courage and strength during his battle with ALS inspired many – both those who knew him well and those who were never blessed with the opportunity to meet him at all. His acceptance and love for humanity only grew as he progressed in his disease. He reminded us often, “It is really quite simple. Love God. Love others. That’s it.”
David is survived by his beloved wife, Tricia, and his 4 lovely children: Paige, Claire, Nathan and Peter; his parents Ralph and Kathie Showerman; his siblings, Lynn, Brian, Scott, and Amy; and so many friends and relatives from all over the country.
A celebration of life will be held at McDowell Mountain Community Church in Scottsdale, AZ on May 21, 2021 @ 11:00 AM. https://mcdowell.church/
It was David’s wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to the AZ ALSA Chapter or to the ALS Therapy Development Institute in his honor.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18