David Reay Wiedemann

David Reay Wiedemann passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, October 29th, 2016. He was just three weeks away from his 82nd birthday. Dave lived with his wife, Janelle (McDonnell), in their lovely home in Centennial, Colorado with their dog, Phoebe.

Dave was born on November 22, 1934 in Duquesne, Pennsylvania. His father was Edwin William Wiedman and his mother’s name was Jean Adelaide Moffat. Dave has one brother, Jim, (Lorna Staveley) and two children, Leslie (Kenneth Herd) and Erich. He also has five grandchildren, Morgan, Alison, Edwin, Ian and Gwen of which he is very proud.

Dave was raised in Duquesne, Pennsylvania and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1957. It was here that he met his first wife Donna whom he married on June 27th, 1959. Together they raised Leslie and Erich in New England before moving west to Colorado in the early 80’s.

Dave served in the US Army reserve as well as the Massachusetts National Guard.

Dave also received a Masters Degree in Education from Boston University in 1975. Though Dave worked in publishing it was his love of teaching and learning with students that was his main passion throughout his professional career. He taught psychology, business and history at Weymouth North High School, in Weymouth Massachusetts, as well as at Douglas County High School in Castle Rock, Colorado.

Outside of his profession, Dave loved the outdoors and spending time working in his yard, touring the state and national parks of the west with his wife Janelle in their motorhome, and walking his dog(s). After retirement he developed an interest in building and flying model helicopters and airplanes and spent hours tinkering away in his basement workshop on his newest model.

Dave married Janelle (McDonnell) on July 22nd, 1994. Together they created a home in Centennial, Colorado which they shared with numerous rescue dogs. Dave and Janelle, shared a love of reading, good food, political debate, exploring Colorado’s beauty and watching Bronco’s games with Janelle’s two sons, Jim (Teresa), and John (Jennifer) and their daughters Lilly and Summer.

Despite having been a diabetic for 47 years, and the numerous complications that accompanied his illness, Dave continued to have a positive attitude. He always enjoyed engaging in political debate, working on his truck, spending time with his family, being with his dogs and appreciating the beauty of the western landscape which he cherished.

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association www.diabetes.org or the Denver Dumb Friends League www.ddfl.org