Jeanne and I wish to offer our sincere condolences to Kathy and family on David's passing.  I too was fortunate to have worked with David many years ago at the Department of Public Health.  David was a go-to guy you trusted and knew would always get the job done right.  He made us all better.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Marcia and I wish to offer our sincere condolences to Kathy and the family on David's passing. He and I were co-workers for a few years at the Michigan Department of Public Health. His contributions were many and valued. 

He has left too soon.

Dave and Marcia Murray
Grecia, Costa Rica

Dear Kathy,

First of all, I want to extend my deepest sympathy to you.  I know David's passing will leave a huge void in your life.  While you had the fortune of knowing and loving him as an adult, I was blessed with his friendship when we were young children.  David was more than a friend.  He was a partner, confidant and sole mate --  well, at least as much as one could have a sole mate at age 8.

One of my first memories was of David coming over when we were just entering kindergarten.  We sat on our living room couch and counted to 100 for each other.  Even from that early age I respected and admired David's intelligence, and acknowledged such when in seventh grade, the teacher asked whom we most admired.  My choice was the ever-alert David Rector – for his intellect and calm demeanor.  I always envied a bit his ease at bringing home top grades from school.  When he decided to attend Kalamazoo College, my esteem of that school soared, and I thought how lucky they were to have David as a scholar.

We were partners.  At least three examples come to mind:  Much to Oliver Rector's chagrin, we stacked up the cherry and berry lugs and crates to build our own enterprise.  We manufactured and sold imaginary compressed air from our elaborately constructed building.  Don't ask me how we decided on compressed air, but it must have been a concoction from David's fertile mind.  

Another of our partnerships was a real, profitable entrepreneurial endeavor:   The Nickerson Avenue pumpkin stand.  We pooled our pumpkins and took turns manning a  few small tables in front of 443 selling pumpkins and squash of all sizes.  This modest enterprise eventually turned out to be a landmark fall farm stand operated by Mary and Oliver years after we had graduated from college.

Another of our partnerships I recall was more of a collusion:  We established a stagecoach line that used to traverse treacherous territory on the Rector driveway.  The secret to our success was the fearsome and hardworking horse we had cajoled into pulling our red wagon – Mary Lynn.

We shared a wonderful, rural boyhood together – picking dewberries, firing off clods of dirt from the roots of cover crop, building tunnels with bales of hay in the hayloft, constructing a fun-in-the-dark amusement ride in the barn, climbing the maple in the front yard to view the surrounding landscape.  David was game for everything and was the perfect best friend.   

In addition to a physical and spiritual loss at his passing, there is, for me at least, a deep loss of an era of our lives: our youth.  It was a strong bond that marks true friendship.  How lucky we all are to have had David in our lives – at different times.

Major Gray
September 18, 2014

So sad to hear of Dave's passing.  What a special person he was.  We shared four years as roommates, fellow physics majors, and traveling companions during our time at K College.  I was so intimidated at our freshman orientation.  Before being introduced I saw him talking with a beautiful blonde, and thought surely they had matched me up with the wrong person.  But no problem.  We totally blended and shared the joys and travails of college life.  We learned each others families and had a wonderful relationship.  Although we moved far apart after graduation, it was always a pleasure to catch up at class reunions.  One of his lake photos hangs over my dresser and reminds me daily of our shared experiences and our deep friendship.  I'll miss him.  My deepest sympathies for your loss.

Sincere condolences to all of Dave's family. I had the opportunity to work with Dave and appreciated his hard work  and the way he went about it.  His knowledge, integrity, good humor and willingness to tackle tough jobs made him a real asset to the state and the people around him. May God bless you all, especially during this difficult time

Sincere condolences to all of Dave's family.  I had the opportunity to work with Dave and really appreciated the way in which he carried out his responsibilities. His knowledge, integrity, good  humor and willingness to tackle difficult issues made him a real asset to the state and the people working with him. May God bless you especially during this difficult time.

Dear Kathy, we were shocked and saddened to hear of Dave's passing.  Dave was a valued member of MSP.  You have our heartfelt condolences.  Sincerely, Rich &Marsha Davis

Kathy and family,
     We were very saddened over the sudden passing of Dave and will miss seeing him at the monthly state retirees coffee. Please accept our deepest sympathies and know you are all in our thoughts.

I worked with Dave at the Department of Community Health.  He was very smart and analytical.  As others have said, a man of few words.  Honest and direct.  He had a dry sense of humor which I enjoyed.  I am sorry for your loss.

David will always be on my very short list of best bosses ever. He was consistently fair, objective, understanding and clear in his directions. I learned how to write a position paper from him. He would research an issue carefully, then document the background, the pros and cons, the position, and his fully vetted conclusions with perfect clarity. I was amazed at his skills in that regard, and learned a lot from reading his written work, but never quite achieved his level of skill. Dave was humorous and kind and will be remembered with respect and affection. My condolences to Dave's family. 
Howard Schaefer

Our deepest condolences to your entire family.  Aaron and Ian we know you will miss your pa pa immensely.  You are so blessed to have had such wonderful experiences and memories with him.  He poured into your lives and you will always have him in your heart.  Great big hugs to you boys.

My thoughts and prayers are with Dave's family during this difficult time.  I worked with Dave for many years and he was a wonderful, kind person.  Rest in peace, my friend.

My deepest sympathy to David's entire family.  I was a classmate of Dave's at Kalamazoo and one of his roommates on and off during those four years.  I actually dragged my mattress into his and Jim McKittrick's room in the spring of my freshman year to get away from an awful roommate.  I remember Dave as a man of few words, but a good listener and a heart of gold.  I'm sorry we never stayed in touch over the years.

My heartfelt condolences to David's family and friends.  Dave was very special to me and someone I will never forget - the best Boss I ever had.  We were a great team.  Dave recognized my talents and abilities and provided me opportunities to shine.  As a result, I was promoted to work in the department's legislative office which lead me to a career highlight being the program manager of a Governor's initiative.  I marveled at Dave's insightfulness.  We had several conversations about organizational systems - I believe that's what his Masters thesis was. Dave was not one to "chatter" so when he talked, I listened well.  Without a doubt, a big joy to him was his family, especially his Grandsons! We worked hard, laughed, and shared a few beers. Until we meet again Dave - Cheers!

Kathy and family... I was looking for some words of comfort for you in your time of sorrow - these struck a personal note with me and I hope for you...
"Love endures all time and space. Have faith that David surely watches over you from Heaven, and prays for your happiness here on earth." 

God Bless..... 
Gerry

Kathy, Shane, Troy and your families,

I am saddened to hear about Dave's passing.  Please accept my heartfelt condolences.  Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.

Hugs,
Rita Patrick

My thoughts and prayers are with you.  I used to work with David at the Bureau of Health Systems on West Saginaw.  He was such a nice man.  I will always remember how much he liked his coffee and chocolate candy.  May he rest in peace.

My deepest condolences to you Troy and your family.  I only met your dad a couple of times, but he must have been a wonderful person to have raised such a wonderful son.  May your memories give you peace and may God wrap all your family in His loving and supportive arms.

Davids passing was a shock to us all. What I remember most about David was his joy of life and he always had his smile to share. His love of photography was contagious and got me interested in some photo fun. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and will be sorely missed.  Pam and Steve Patrick

My grandfather was known as many things such as Grandfather ,rocket scientist, friend, genius, pa pa, David, husband, brother and many more. If I had to choose between my many favorite moments with him it would be this last spring break at St. Simon island. While the rest of the group walked ahead I stayed back with him talking while we walked. We would talk about the scene of the trees on our right and the water and bridge on our left while looking at the driftwood. To me he was known for many things like always loving to do his crosswords and how he knew about everything even If it was a just a little bit about that subject. He would tell me about his job and how he loved it so much, my favorite story was that his team would send rockets down a path and there were seagulls on the rocket track and how they kept getting in the way so they built a second rocket to scare away the seagulls before sending the real rocket. My grandfather was also known for always working on a project like how he helped us build our kitchen, he built our bedrooms, he framed his own photos, made chairs we sit on at torch lake, building a new dock and many many more projects. Most of all he was known for his photography. He could make anything look beautiful, and that is what I will miss most. I love you pa pa 

Love Ian

We were so shocked and saddened to hear
that David had passed away.  You are in
our thoughts and prayers at this very
difficult time.  We certainly have wonderful memories of being with David on special occasions and most recently
at St. Simons Island.
Frank and Anita Brewer

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

David A. Rector

16 mai 1944 – 16 septembre 2014

Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes

Montrez votre soutien

Envoyez Vos
Condoléances

Partager
L'avis De Décès

Obtenir les mises à jour

Prestations de Service