I was so saddened today to learn of David's passing.  He was an amazing leader, an incredibly kind man, and a gentle, yet wise, soul.  I learned so much from him and thoroughly enjoyed working with him.  He had nothing but good things to say about his colleagues, friends, and of course, his lovely family.  
I will miss the goodness and light he brought into this world and feel fortunate to have been able to experience that.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

I worked with David at LifeMark,its shocking to me that he has passed away, to me he was a mentor and guide to private practice. My deepest condolences to his family,

I am shocked to learn of David's passing..... David was a great guy who helped me get through some tough days in physiotherapy school. He was a fun, and caring man. I trust Mary and the girls are well.
Wanda Barth-Lindblom, PT

When I heard about Davids passing I was in shock and can only say how sorry I am for your loss . I was lucky to be a neighbor to David Mary and the girls . He always was the first to lend a hand and one of my best memories was seeing Dave ,Emily,Alison and my daughter Rachel jumping on the trampoline in the back yard , the smiles and laughter by all is how  will remember him.

I worked with David at Lifemark Health Institute and  and met him previous to that.  A common saying after someone passes away is to say "he always had a smile." It is overused in my opinion.  However, with David that the phrase describes my EXACT memory of him. What a great person he was!
My condolences.

Dear Alice,
I am so sorry for your loss.
Geri Muirhead

Mary,  Emily and Alison, we were very saddened To hear that David passed away. I remember him as an kind and frendly person. 
Condolences to all.
Dick van Driesum (Holland)

Mary,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your girls. May God's love and the memories provide you comfort.

David was an amazing and inspiring man.  He was one of the warmest and funniest people I have ever had the pleasure of getting to know.  His positive energy will be missed.  I feel truly fortunate to have known him over the years.

Mary, we were shocked and saddened to hear of David's death. Praying for God's presence to be so near you and your girls in these coming days and months.

To the Van Driesum Family, my thoughts and prayers are with you. It's been 13 years since I saw David and I still remember him from Physio School. He was a kind and thoughtful person and will be remembered as such. 
Jerry-Lynn Dzioba

To Jane and the van Driesum family: May God hold you in His hands. You will be in my prayers. Sincere condolences to all. Susan Walma

To the Van Driesum Family and Jane, our sincere condolences. May God hold you in the palm of his hand and carry you through this difficult time. You are in our thoughts and Prayers. 
Joyce and Keith Conley

To the Van Driesum Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of grief and sorrow.
Please accept our deepest sympathies.

Karl & Judith Zandberg, Abbotsford, BC

"Death makes angels of us all and gives us wings where we had shoulders smooth as ravens claws" 
-Jim Morrison 
God bless you all. He was a very kind and respectful person. What a loss to all who knew him.

Emily,

We are so sorry to hear about the sudden passing of your father.  We can't even imagine what your family is going through.  Wrap our arms around your broken heart.

All our love,
Terry, Debbie, Alyssa, Taylor and Megan Enns
Sherwood Park, Alberta.

Dear Mary, Emily and Alison,  
Thank you for such a wonderful Celebration of David's life today.  We were truly blessed and humbled.  It was a strong reminder of everything we had come to know of David.  He was an incredible mentor, resource, and source of inspiration to our profession, to our family, and most of all to our faith.  He was the most complete role model I could ever have.  Thanks again for sharing him with us!

To the Van Driesum Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. May the love of those around you help you through the days ahead.
The North Nechako "Lamb" family

My thoughts are with David's family at this sad time.  May the joy of remembering all the great things about David help lessen the sorrow of his loss.  He truly was one greats and I'll miss him.

To the van Driesum family,
I have worked with David over the past 13 years at LifeMark and he continually impressed me with his dedication and passion for everything that he did.  He was a wonderful man who was always willing to lend a hand to those in need.  I really enjoyed working with him, as he shared his ideas and looked for ways to make things better.  When I think of David I think of a man with a great sense of humour, who always looked for ways to bring laughter into everyone's lives.  I will really miss David and I am truly thankful that I had the privilege of knowing him.  Please know that I am with you in spirit today to share in the celebration of David's life.  I send my thoughts and wishes to all of you and will remember David fondly always. 
With all my love, Karen de Vaal, Oakville, Ontario

Dear Mary, Emily and Alison, may God be near at this very difficult time. Know that your husband/Dad was loved and appreciated by many and his warmth, strength of character and love for others will be remembered and missed.  Remembering you in our prayers, the Wilk's.

I am deeply saddened by the news of David's passing.  I have been lucky enough to know David throughout my years training and as a practicing Physiotherapist.  I will miss his humor, his sensibility, and his mentorship.  My thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time.

We've been thinking of you all week, it was so unexpected. Although we haven't seen you guys much the past years we have many fond memories of times we spent together.  Dave's enjoyment of life and his love for you his family, was an inspiration.

I did not know David well but was impressed by his commitment to the physiotherapy profession when I worked with him on an investigation a few years ago. To lose him at such a young age is a terrible loss for his family and for physiotherapy in Alberta.  My deepest sympathy.

My thoughts are with the van Driesum family during your great loss.  May god give you the strength during this time of sorrow

July 28,2012

Here's to David's goodness. 
"The work of your heart,
The work of taking time to 
listen, to help, is also your gift  to the whole of the world"

Alex Warne, LifeMark Health, Ontario

Colleen and I are still in shock, ever since we heard the sad and terrible news that David has so suddenly and unexpectedly left his family, his colleagues and his friends, and this world, in which he lived so vigorously and so wonderfully.  We have so many fine memories: his verbal jousting, his wedding day, his fervent faith.  Our deepest, empathetic thoughts and most fervent prayers continue yo be for you Mary, Emily and Alison, as well as David's wider family, colleagues and friends.  Hans and Colleen Kouwenberg

Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Van Driesum family. When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.   Rest in peace Dave.

Mary, Emily and Alison:  On behalf of Physiotherapy Alberta-College + Association, we extend our deepest sympathy. David made a very significant contribution to the physiotherapy profession in Alberta and, the profession will continue to benefit from his hard work and dedication. Always willing to assist, David spent countless hours working on our behalf: at meetings, negotiating and developing partnerships to advance the profession. We are very fortunate to have benefited from David's sage wisdom and skill over the years.  He was a true gentleman, simply a wonderful person whose love for his family was profound. On  a personal note, David is one of the finest colleagues I have had the pleasure of working with.  We will miss him greatly.

I had the privilege of calling David "my boss".  His love of life, story telling and vivacious smile are all things I will fondly remember of him.  On more than one occasion, I told him what a great Dad he was and that he should have been a travel agent with all those great family holidays filled with adventures he planned.  He will be deeply missed at our office.  My prayers and thoughts are with you Mary, Emily and Alison.  May you find strength in your faith at this time.

My sincere condolences to David's family and friends. He touched so many lives and will be sadly missed by so many.

It was such a shock to hear of David's sudden passing. I had the pleasure of having David as my boss for quite a few years and he was an awesome man. He made us laugh and would always be there for support when needed. My heart and prayers are with you Mary, Emily & Alison. He will be greatly missed.

Dave was a neighbour and a friend and will be thoroghly missed.

David touched so many lives at LifeMark with his energy, compassion and sense of humour.  He freely shared his deep love for his family and was so intensely proud of you, Emily and Alison.  Losing David can only be comforted by the experience and privilege of having known him.  My heart is with you at this profoundly sad time.

I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of this amazing man. My prayers and my love go out to his family. David always talked about his family with great love and affection. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all those who were fortunate to come into contact with him.

We were so sorry to hear about David's passing.  He was the youngest of the Blok/Van Driesum "gang" on North Nechako Rd but made his mark through boundless creativity and energy.  Over the years, it was always so much fun catching up on news and sharing memories.  His family are very much in our thoughts through this difficult time.

I was deeply saddened on the news of the loss of such an amazing person in David.  My sincerest condolences to Mary and his girls.  David was a great inspiration to me and I will miss his humour, his spirit and kindness.

My deepest condolences to David's family and friends.  Although we can take comfort in knowing he is in a better place he will be sadly missed.  He was truly an amazing person.

We were deeply saddened to hear of David's passing.  He truly was a remarkable individual in so many ways.  We are blessed to have known him. He will be missed.  Our sincere condolences to his family.

So very saddened to hear of David's passing. Such a kind soul who truly was able to positively connect with those around him. He will be missed. My sincere condolences to his family whom he always spoke of so fondly.

David was a kind, gentle soul who had a way of making everyone feel special when he walked in the room or you spoke with him on the phone.  He always smiled with pride when speaking about his journeys with his family.  My sincere condolences to each of you.

David will always be with us.  He inspired - challenged - enquired -observed and made sense of life. David was a special friend and a colleague who had the deepest of respect professionally throughout Canada.His wicked humor was matched by his humility and wonderful sincere soul- he made things happen. David loved his family and I enjoyed the countless stories of their adventures - My heart goes out to Mary and the girls. I will never forget you my special friend. I only ever let you call me a wanker ....be at peace big guy you will always be fondly remembered.

our thoughts and prayers are with David;s family members, Mary, Emily and Alison and also his Mom Jane, may you all be comforted. Henk and Rena Hoornenborg

Alison,
We are all thinking of you in your time of sorrow.  Know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  On behalf of all of us at the U of A Cardiac recovery, Cath and EP lab

What a tremendous loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary,Emily,Alison and family. David was a genuine, energy filled leader in life and profession. He will be missed.

It is hard to imagine the world with David.  He was an incredibly brilliant, compassionate and humble man.  He was dedicated to his family and was truly one of those people who touched the lives of all he met.  We will miss him.  My prayers and thoughts are with Mary, Emily and Alison.  May God comfort you at this time.

My heart aches for your loss.  David was truly a sincere, kind, and giving man.  He will be deeply missed.

David will be remembered as a dedicated and inspiring colleague who always took the time to be interested in his friends and coworkers. He gained the respect of everyone he interacted with as a result of his genuine nature and honest approach to everything he undertook. He will be missed. My deepest sympathies to his entire family.

Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with you Jane and all of You.
Tony & Rina Romeyn

My deepest sympathies to your family.  David taught us at the UofA in the late 90s and was a respected mentor and colleague.  His humour was refreshing and captivating and I will always remember him for playing a trick on our class where he had all of us raise our hands and spell "I met" out loud, making 66 of us proclaim with enthusiasm " I am ET!"

He was someone that loved his family, friends, his work, his hobbies and enjoyed helping others with such passion and pride. 

He will be missed.

My sincere condolences to his family

So sorry to hear of David's passing. My  sincere condolences to his family.

So sorry to hear of Dave's passing, you are all in our thoughts and prayers, wishing you God's strength and comfort.

Mike and Cathy Keizer & family

He was such a positive influence and truly connected with all those he came in contact with.  We are all at a loss. My deepest condolences to Mary, Emily and Alison.

I'm so sorry about David's passing.  I knew him through work-related activities and I always found him to be a genuine, positive, and extremely articulate man who exhibited a real interest in people and the world around him.  It is a big loss for everyone.  My sincere condolences to his family.

So sorry to hear of David's passing. I knew him as a wonderful dedicated colleague.

So sorry and shocked to hear the news of David's passing.Such a lovely man.
Our deepest sympathies to Mary,Emily,Alison and family from Red Deer, Stoke-On -Trent England and Houston Texas. We all remember David and send our condolences.

Very saddened to hear of David's passing. He was a wonderful colleague and leader.  My deepest sympathies to his wife, daughters and family.  May he rest in peace.

Saddened and shocked to read of David's passing in the PG Citizen today.  David was always such a positive person to be around.  My condolences to Mary and family

Was saddened to hear of David's passing.  He was a wonderful physiotherapist for me.  My sincere condolences to his family

OBITUARY

David Alexander Van Driesum

September 29, 1961 – July 21, 2012

Fraserview Crematorium & Fraserview Crematorium – Cemetery Niches

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