David Bruce Chladek

David was born on April 4, 1957, in Owatonna, Minnesota, to Ferris and Ruth (Naylor) Chladek. The youngest of three boys, David had a vivid imagination and sensitive spirit. Like his brothers, he was involved in Boy Scouts and community projects in Owatonna. He was a voracious reader, at one point in grade school finishing all the books the school library had to offer. David loved music from an early age and continued to his whole life. When he was very young, he listened to his radio late at night beneath the covers, long after he was supposed to have fallen asleep. He loved the guitar, which he passionately devoted himself to learning and practicing from age 8 to18. He considered pursuing music after high school yet decided ultimately on a very different path, pharmacy school, and so he put his guitar down when he went to pharmacy school, never touching it again for concern it would distract him from studies and work. This was how David was in so many ways: highly passionate, sensitive, committed, and full of deep feeling he longed to express. In professional life, this passion was channeled into order, structure, and constant improvement of his workplace, with a tendency to consider novel solutions and alternatives. Outside work, this passion would find expression in spontaneity and searching for meaning and connection with others, though he often felt he could not connect deeply with others.

He graduated from high school in Owatonna in 1975 and begin college at Minnesota State University in Moorhead. In 1978, he transferred to North Dakota State University to begin pharmacy school, where he was part of the Kappa Psi fraternity. He graduated in 1981.

In his late twenties, David moved to Dallas, Texas, to escape Minnesota winters (he hated the cold) and continue building his career. Here he worked at Albertson’s and spent as much time as he could in the sun. David spent his leisure time playing racquetball and tennis for hours on end. To him, the rhythmic nature of the sports allowed him to vent frustrations he carried inside. He could release the issues he could not fix personally or professionally. He also thoroughly enjoyed cycling because it gave him the opportunity to experiment with many variables, such as weather and terrain, to get the best outcomes. Though he was highly regimented at work, David had an artistic and free spirit and could be very spontaneous.

In 1991, he moved back to Minnesota to spend more time with his parents, Ruth and Ferris, who as they were getting older. He began working at Target. Several years later he met a woman named Margi, with whom he developed a long but difficult relationship. He lived with her in Eagon, Minnesota.

After Target, David worked at Fairview Pharmacy, excelling as a staff pharmacist, float pharmacist, and float pharmacist supervisor. In his work, David was regimented, organized, and innovative, constantly improving his surroundings. He was highly sympathetic and made sure to appreciate his employees and co-workers. To his customers and patients, David showed a genuine interest and warm sense of humor that made them feel heard and comfortable. He connected with them. Often, he stayed late or took on extra tasks himself to make sure customers had what they needed. In an effort to improve his work environment, David would pursue “shiny things” – replacing or repairing things his corporate employers did not notice or would not repair quickly. He often personally purchased items like file cabinets and printers so his pharmacy would run more smoothly in small aspects and in the big picture.

After David and Margi separated in 2012, David experienced a dark period of redefining his purpose and searching for hope. In late 2019, David began a new chapter by moving to Colorado Springs. As part of self-improvement and challenging himself, David began strength training and running instruction with a personal trainer, Brianna. In time, David and Brianna developed a friendship, then fell deeply in love and became inseparable. He was the light of her life, and she was the light of his. They attended Woodmen Valley Chapel regularly, traveled, hiked, ran together, painted, cooked often together, and had many adventures with Brianna’s daughter, Lennora, who adored him. Brianna’s family appreciated David’s quirky humor, gentle manner, and kindness. He always tried to find the good in people and offer encouragement and help to anyone who needed it.

Beginning in 2021, David worked as a pharmacy manager at King Soopers in Canyon City, enriching the lives of his employees, coworkers, and customers with his work ethic, humor, and willingness to find solutions. He tried each day to leave his workplace better than he found it or leave it in good shape for the staff pharmacist and technicians.

David became a Christian in November, 2022, after much searching and praying. He believed it was one of the best decisions he ever made. He was fascinated by the life and character of Jesus, and in a short time, his faith deepened. He enjoyed his morning prayer time with a cup of coffee and his Bible, before his days began, and he and Brianna often prayed together.

In late 2022, David was diagnosed with head and neck cancer. Throughout radiation and chemotherapy, which was very painful at times, David’s attitude remained resolutely positive, full of perseverance, humor, and hope. The cancer was far more aggressive than he or Brianna could have imagined, as he went to heaven November 20, 2023. He fought bravely until his last breath so he could have more time with Brianna and Lennora.

David is survived by his loving wife Brianna, step-daughter Lennora, brothers and sisters-in-law Roger and Renae Chladek, and Larry and Heidi Chladek of Owatonna; brothers- and sisters-in-law Clay and Morgan Smith and Sarah and Robert Sandoval; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Ferris and Ruth Chladek.

Memorial services will be held Tuesday, January 23, 2023, at 10:00 am at Woodmen Valley Chapel (Rockrimmon Campus) in Colorado Springs, at the Stone Chapel Building. Livestreaming is available at https://woodmenvalley.org/memorialstream.

Instead of giving flowers, those wishing to contribute can make donations to Woodmen Valley Chapel or Care and Share Food Bank.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Swan-Law.com for the Chladek family.