David Charles Clauss

Hospital, Lancaster, CA

A Celebration of Life will take place Saturday August 5th, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Tanglewood Hills Pavilion,

Bettendorf, Iowa. A Celebration of Life in Lancaster will take place in October.

Dave was one of a set of identical mirror twins born in Chicago, IL to Charles H. and Kathleen Fabish Clauss on March 22, 1939. He graduated from Lane Tech High School in Chicago in 1957. He married Dorothy Eves of West Liberty, Iowa in 1958. They had 3 children together: Jeffrey David, Debra Lynn McCutcheon, and Jonathan Charles. They later divorced.

In 1987, he married Carol Linnenbrink in White Rock, B.C. Canada. Dave and Carol moved to California in 1987, where Dave taught music for the Palmdale School District until 2003.

Dave was involved in music his whole life along with his twin brother Dennis, playing music with their father, Charles. At Lane Tech High School, Dave and Dennis were Swim Team Captains and involved in the Lane Tech band and orchestras.

After serving a 5 year apprenticeship to be a Journeyman Toolmaker, David followed his passion of working with people and decided to become a music teacher. He received his Bachelors of Music at Coe College in 1967 and a Masters of Arts degree at Western Illinois University in 1977. Dave taught music at Sigourney High School (1967-1969), Assumption High School (1969-1985), Jazz Instructor at Saint Ambrose University (1980-1985) and Palmdale School District (1987-2003). Highlights from his teaching career are numerous superior awards for bands at all levels from middle school to university, including having the first ever middle school Dixieland Band in the Los Angeles Jazz Festival. He held the position of Vice President of the Los Angeles County Music Educators Association. Dave was also a Deacon in the Episcopal Church.

Dave played music professionally. Highlights include performing with Liberace, Pete Barbutti and numerous other groups including his own group the “Quadratones” in the Quad Cities, Lancaster, Las Vegas and Los Angeles area.

Dave was an avid swimmer, boater, and golfer. His swimming achievements included playing on the Portage Park Water Polo team and medaling in numerous meets. He enjoyed many trips in his boat on the mighty Mississippi. In golf, he and his wife Carol enjoyed playing many rounds and tournaments, including winning many of those tournaments. He also enjoyed playing cards and never missed an opportunity to teach someone a new game.

He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and brother, Charles(Chuck).

He is survived by his wife, Carol,,, his children:Jeff,,,Debra (Luke McCutcheon),,,and Jonathan (Cheri),,, his brothers: Dennis and Jeffrey (wife Eve),,,Grandchildren: Tiffanie Vieira(husband Casey),,, Scott,,, Erich (wife Emily),,, Brittani (husband Josh Hileman),,, and Paige (husband Isaac Hansen),,,Great-Grandchildren: Riley,,, Paityn,,, Maria,,, Cade,,, Cohen,,, Cannon,,, and Maverick.

Dave and Carol enjoyed traveling the world and recently in the comfort of their travel trailer. Favorite places included Monterey, Carmel, Monaco, Switzerland, Brazil, Canada, New York, Hawaii, Lake Tahoe and every place in between. Many trips were planned around Texas Hold ‘Em poker and slot tournaments.

A true people person, there was not one person who Dave didn’t chat or connect with. He never knew a

stranger or missed a beat to make someone feel important.

He made sure memories were made by all and he will be missed!

Memorials can be made to Western Illinois University Music Department and the American Heart Association.