Our most jovial father, friend, and husband, David Vandewater, passed away at the age of 80 on October 8, 2023. He will very much be missed by his wife Tina; his children Kath, Sheila, Goldy, and Alan; his four beloved grandchildren; his two sisters; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents William and Hazel, his brother Donald, and his daughter Diana.
Growing up in Bethel, CT, where he was the youngest of four — and spoiled rotten by his mother — he was nicknamed “Whitey” for his pale blond hair. He had a carefree childhood, taking care of his pony, reading classic comic books, and tinkering with chemistry. As a teen, he attended Wooster School and enjoyed making music with his lifelong friends Ross, Dave, and George.
Dave graduated in 1966 with his Masters degree from Northwestern University. From 1967 to 1998 he worked for IBM as a computer programmer. There, he enjoyed teaching young “IBMers” coding, starting back in the days when digital data was punched on huge stacks of cards. His favorite role was developing and managing the multimedia lab. Most recently, he was a part-time math professor at Mt. San Jacinto College, where he invented card games to help his math students, before retiring a few years ago.
A young single parent to five unruly children, he made sure they were well taken care of, well-rounded, and well-versed in the beauty of nature. He led his brood on camping trips and hikes in many states, and always kept a huge garden where each kid had their own plot to tend. Each summer, the clan joined up with extended family in Vermont, pitching tents in a wildflower meadow and swimming in a chilly pond full of nippy catfish. Dave could name any mineral, wild flower, or local landmark. He also loved bowling, photography, puzzles, and reading.
Moving to California in 1998, he eventually met Tina, the love of his life and his true soul mate. From the start, they were an inseparable duo, sharing in many adventures together. They were famous for memorable cribbage games in their cozy home in Hemet, where jokes and laughter rang through the kitchen. Dave filled the patio with cacti, rocks, and fossils. Dave also was an accomplished photographer, and contributed hundreds of wildflower photographs to scientific databases.
Dave was always very proud and willing to share that he had 41 years of sobriety. He has made many many friends over the years, and is best known for welcoming someone new. When COVID-19 hit and AA meetings were no longer allowed, Dave took on the task himself to start, and host, two meetings via Zoom.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 1pm at McWane Family Funeral Home, 350 N San Jacinto Street, Hemet, CA. The family requests that masks are worn during the service. Masks will be supplied.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to help the local Hemet community:
https://give.salvationarmyusa.org/give/164006/?ref=IHQ#!/donation
(Be sure to designate Hemet, CA after checking the box next to “This donation is for a specific city, state OUTSIDE of my local community.”)
