David Burton Walser

Seeing the beauty and purpose in ordinary things that others often missed, David showed us how to see things anew and to find the “faces” in everyday items. Quick-witted with a wry sense of humor, David was a gracious host who loved nothing more than having friends and family gather around amazing food he prepared. David had a love/hate relationship with the game of golf, an encyclopedic memory of holes played both by himself and by the pros in major tournaments and most importantly, many happy hours out on area courses with friends.

More than anything else, David was guided by his grounding in core values of kindness, fairness, and doing the right thing, even when it might be uncomfortable. He was a devoted father, husband, son, and brother. We will all miss his seemingly instant recall of names, events, cinematic lore, and Raleigh history.

Born and raised in Raleigh, David was the youngest child of Frank and Ellen Walser. He attended Sherwood-Bates Elementary, Josephus Daniels Junior High School, and Needham Broughton High School. David attended North Carolina State University, transferred and graduated from UNC Greensboro. A through-line in David’s career always centered around the creative, whether it was carefully executing painting projects for his many loyal clients both as part of Heyward Armstrong Painting or on his own, his culinary explorations or breathing new life into furniture finds. Like his father before him, he was a craftsman and artisan in so many ways. Alongside his wife, Emily, David owned and operated Redpin, a boutique shop offering one-of-a-kind home furnishings, gifts, and original artwork by local artists, including David’s own work.

David is survived by his wife of 29 years, Emily; his son Duncan Walser (Nicole Nguyen) of Greensboro, NC; his brother Ray (Sandra) Walser of Reston, VA; his sister, Beth Clements and sister-in-law, Jill Anderson (Bern) both of Raleigh, NC. He is also survived by Duncan’s mother, Mary Basnight of Raleigh and Emily’s brother, Hunter Beahm of Carolina Beach, NC.

David is also survived by several nieces and nephews: Raymond Walser, children Trifon, Georgia, and Katina; Margot (Ian) Boyd, son Henry; Frank Walser; Greyson Clements, children Layla and Madison; Mary (Padrick) Oliver and children Liam and Wyatt Bern; Charles Clements, Kendal Beahm, and Ellie Beahm, along with numerous cousins: Charles (Sue) Plambeck, children Raines, Charles Christian, and Fayette; Mary Ann Plambeck; Margaret (Dean Denning) Plambeck; John (Cathy) Jarvis, children Jesse,

Tammy, Rebecca, John W., Austin; Steve (Sandy) Jarvis; Reed (Stephanie) Jarvis; Phil (Bryan Williamson) Jarvis; Scott (Kathy) Adams; Bill (Elizabeth) Branch; and Jane (Flynn) Harris. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Raymond Frank Walser and Ellen Hornbuckle Walser Manooch and his brother, Edward Bern Walser.

The family thanks the amazing care teams at UNC Rex Cancer Center and Transitions Hospice of Wake County for listening to David and always treating him with respect and dignity and for their kindness and compassion.

We also want to thank all of David’s many friends, far and near, for their support, caring, humor, and simply for being there for us throughout his life and this journey. We could not have done this without you.

A Witness to the Resurrection service will be held at Christ Church, 120 E. Edenton St, Raleigh, date and time forthcoming.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in David’s memory to StepUp Ministry or the SPCA of Wake County. At David’s specific request, remember to vote this year and every year. Each vote matters.

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh is serving the Walser family,