Mr. David Cartan Chopin

December 27, 1918 – October 2, 2011

Dad and Mom gave us a great gift a few years back, they put their lives down on paper. These are just a few of our father’s words.

“I was born on December 27, 1918, shortly after the guns of World War I had stopped firing. My father was a doctor in north St. Louis City and County; an old fashioned general practitioner who made house calls and delivered babies, while my mom would quite often meet with her sisters in the tea room of the old Scruggs (or Vandervoots) to gossip and giggle.

I grew up in a family of four children; Marjorie, George, Lelia and myself, with two additional children dying before my birth. It was sometime during my formative years that I strung up a clothesline between a couple of trees. This was the root of a particularly gratifying tennis career.

After grammar school, under the tutelage of Sister of Loretto, I won a scholarship to St. Louis University High School. SLUH was generally an interesting adventure. I had the reputation of a good scholar and a good athlete in minor sports, particularly tennis. My most successful courses were Latin, Greek and geometry. The same day I won a Latin contest I got my varsity letter from the tennis team and I don’t know which I felt better about. In the end I graduated with a degree in Latin.

In the late 40’s my cousin introduced me to Ann Perabo. We were involved in a group called the DePorres Club, striving to bring meaningful activities to underprivileged teenager’s lives. I remember the night the realization hit me like a bolt of lightening. I looked at Ann and all of a sudden my heart melted in my chest. We were married on Groundhog’s Day – the feast of the Purification – on February 2, 1950”.

Dad had a long, successful career in advertising and continued to love the games of tennis and soccer. He loved jazz, crossword puzzles and Sherlock Holmes. He had a very quick wit and beautiful smile. He was married to Ann for 61 years and remained devoted to his church and family until his passing

Dave’s life continues on through:

His children: Barbara Chopin Lucks (husband Tom), Gregory David Chopin (wife Katie Miller), Francie Chopin Paschen (late husband Michael), Annette Chopin Lare (husband Doug), Gerri Chopin Wendel (husband Peter), Susan Angela Chopin (former husband Kevin Walker), Molly Chopin Rundquist (husband John), George Michael Chopin (wife Mary Hartman).

His Grandchildren: Marjorie Annlyn Lucks (husband Dorian West), Ned Chopin Lucks (wife Tracey Hughes), Sarah Chopin Coleman (husband Brent), Anne Chopin May (Husband Gary), Susan Chopin Paley (husband Doug), Daniel James Paschen, Brittany Chopin Lare, Molly Chopin Layton (husband Devon), Jacob Chopin Lare, Carolyn Marie Wendel, Paul Dorian Wendel, John Collins Wendel, Kristin Chopin Wendel, Justin Chopin Walker, Austin David Walker (wife Becky Black), Kathryn Perabo Furjes (husband Don), Olivia Anna Walker, Lauren Elise Rundquist, Leah Nicole Rundquist, Ellen Catherine Chopin, Rachel Anna Chopin, David Gregory Chopin and Audrey Grace Chopin.

His Great Grandchildren: Abigail Kathleen Coleman, Eric Gregory Coleman, Sean Brentley Coleman, Meghan Susanne Coleman, Isabelle Grace Paley, Lillian Kathleen Paley, Caroline Chopin Paley, Madeline Louise Lucks, Brian Everett Lucks, Isaac Gregory May, Henry Steven May Alayna Marie Furjes, & Ella Kathryn Furjes.

Thank you, Dad.

His was indeed a wonderful life,

which now continues above.