Dave and I worked together at AT&T in the 90s. I have often thought of him, and quote him regularly.  My favorite Dave saying is "Don't 'should' on yourself." Rest in peace, my friend. 💛

My Special Brother David

When we were kids, me being 2 1/2 years older than David and 7 years older than Dicky, I was put in charge because Mother and Daddy both had to work.
David made it clear to Mother and Daddy that 2 1/2 years was not enough for me to be able to tell him what to do.  So we fought a lot.
Then he went into the Navy and was gone for  9 weeks boot camp.  When he came home on leave he was, I guess you could say, a man.  From that time on we were as close as brother and sister could be.

I remember when I went into labor to have my first child, a girl, Shannon.  David was on leave.

When we lost Shannon she was just a day old.  I was determined to go to the services but hospital wouldn't let me and gave me something to sleep.  So who do you think was sitting beside my bedside to console me when I woke up?  David.

He was always doing things when I was in charge to upset me.  One time he had a big firecracker and a match.  We were in the living room and David lit the match and then would act like he was going to light the firecracker.  Of course I was going crazy. Well he got the match to close and lit the firecracker.  Scared, he just threw it in the living room and it went off and burned a hole in the carpet close to Daddy's big chair.

Mother was not one to  move furniture around so we moved Daddy's chair over the burned spot and it was a long time before Mother caught us.

I remember when he had an appendix attack and he was outside playing.  There was a hill behind our house and he told Mother later that it hurt so bad he rolled down the hill until he could make it to the house to her.

Mother worked at a dairy and David got a job riding with the milkman delivering milk. Back then the milk was delivered to your porch.  David would get up at 2 am in the morning. I got up once and he was fixing a bowl of corned beef and hash.  I asked him why that for breakfast and he said he wanted to gain weight.

This is Kara and I am Leeann's daughter. I sent a message to Gramps when he was in the long term facility and since I was unable  to attend his service I wanted to resend my message.                         Gramps, I hope you know we all love and appreciate the time that we had with you. It probably wasn't easy being a grandpa in a different state but we all appreciate the effort that you always put into getting to know us and see us. I really enjoyed your trips to Indiana these past couple of years. I loved hearing your stories and getting to know you as an adult. You are such a kind and gentle soul and I hope to be more like that . Till I see you again, love you, be good to yourself.   Kara

David, was my Grandpa so we always knew him as "Gramps". As long as I can remember Gramps would send us cards for Christmas and our birthdays, and we didn't get to see him much since we lived in Indiana. It didn't matter what age I was, I always had a sweet card with a thoughtful message. As a young kid I would get these goofy cards, cards with Batman, or ones that played songs, but his were always from the heart. What was really special about these cards was that he would always find a way to write the same message in each one, and that was to "Be good to yourself". Now as a kid this message didn't compute because why wouldn't I be good to myself? At the time, I saw it as an interesting thing that Gramps did that made him who he was and would think nothing of it until I saw it again in a few months. Years went by and I managed to get a job that was way more than I thought I deserved, doing things that were more stressful than I thought I could handle, and talking with people who seemed way more adept at the subtle art of conversation than I was. I would beat myself up for making little mistakes and had memories of when I screwed up that brought more self criticism. One day someone told me I need to give myself the slack I give everyone else and it clicked "Be good to yourself"... Its just that easy even when years of training had taught me to be my harshest critic. About a year ago I talked to Gramps on the phone for almost an hour and I told him that he saw the problems years ahead like Nostradamus, and I finally understood and I started to really practice his advice. It made a major difference in my life and now I have a sign in my room that says "Be good to yourself" to always remind me because some days we all need that reminder, and some advice is too good to only get twice a year. I am not a particularly religious person like Gramps was but I know from my sign, my memories, and maybe in some cosmic way that I dont understand yet, I carry him with me everyday.

David's kindness, curiosity, and wit always lifted my spirits. I remember that during one of his stays in a rehab facility, he started to feel disgruntled with the care he was receiving. Yet as he contemplated his situation, he realized that the caregivers coming into his room seemed overworked and stressed. Instead of adding to their stress, he thought about what he could do to help relieve it. The outcome? He started playing soothing music on his portable player and showing interest in them and their lives.  David seemed to sincerely like listening to others, learning, and problem solving.  He was a connoisseur of life. The world has been blessed because he lived.

I am grateful to have known David. He was a kind and gentle man. I will most remember his words “be good to yourself.”  I can still hear him say them.  Be at peace, David, as you have brought much peace to this world. 

The following Fillmorian quote re-minded me of David and how he celebrated life.

"See substance everywhere and affirm it, not only for yourself but for everyone else ... Let the law of plenty work itself out in you and in your affairs." 
(Charles Fillmore, Co-founder of Unity)


To Dianne and family,  I send healing blessings on the wings of prayer.

~ Paula Hayward

When David first showed up in my life, I wasn't too sure about having a stepdad. But as my teenage angst passed, his kind soul prevailed -- and continued to be a constant source of warmth throughout my life. During difficult times, he remained accepting and understanding. He taught me to be softer with myself, and to always have ice cream with chocolate syrup after dinner. His sweet nature will stay with me always. 

When David married my mother in 2001, I wasn’t sure that I wanted a stepfather. But David joined us, and brought his own patented brand of kindness and curiosity and humor into our home. He was an expert at gently ribbing my mom until she finally cracked a smile. He was always up for ice cream. David was the rare soul that you actually enjoyed discussing politics with. He became my role model for how to engage with the world — with kindness, with curiosity, with humor. I am grateful to have known him, and I am grateful that my son was able to meet his Gramps and experience this wonderful man, too.



When David married my mother in 2001, I wasn’t sure that I wanted a stepfather. But David joined us, and brought his own patented brand of kindness and curiosity and humor into our home. He was an expert at gently ribbing my mom until she finally cracked a smile. He was always up for ice cream. David was the rare soul that you actually enjoyed discussing politics with. He became my role model for how to engage with the world — with kindness, with curiosity, with humor. I am grateful to have known him, and I am grateful that my son was able to meet his Gramps and experience this wonderful man, even if only for a short while.



My father was a kind and loving soul. He could always find good in everyone or every situation. He was always enthusiastic about life. I hope I can past down some of those qualities to my son. I love you dad and I will miss you. 

Prayer of Thanksgiving
Eternal God, you have shared with us the life of David.  Before he was ours, he was yours.  For all that David has given us to make us what we are, for that of him which lives and grows in each of us, and for his life that in your love will never end, we give you thanks.  As now we offer David back into your arms, comfort us in our loneliness, strengthen us in our weakness, and give us courage to face the future unafraid.  Draw those of us who remain in this life closer to one another, make us faithful to serve one another, and help us to know that peace and joy which is eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen

You were my first love and I will love you always.  Thanks for giving me 3 beautiful children.  We will always share that together.  Death is just the passing from one dimension to another.  We will always be connected in a holy relationship.
God speed David and I will see you one day on the other side.  I will remember your saying to "always be good to myself"
Thank you for sharing a large part of your life with me.

I will miss you David.  You always had a smile and kind word or story to share with me.  You have left footprints on my heart and I am forever grateful for knowing you.  I am posting a picture of us at our Unity Church for Creative Living Christmas Party (2016).  God speed dear one as you travel on to your next adventure.  Reverend Yvonne McAndrew

God speed thy beloved and faithful servant . 

So many memories of our childhood:
hanging upside down on a tree limb,  riding our bicycles in the cemetary, imaginary play on grandpa’s truck in the garage, playing in his gravel pile,  riding the baby carriage down grandmas hall and getting yelled at. Then  we were teenagers and giving each other money from our  .35 an hour jobs when the other needed it.  Our graduating in the same class.  His visiting me when my husband died and his presence giving me comfort. He was my pal and buddy when we were young and even when we talked last a couple of weeks ago. I loved him. 

Every Sunday at Unity. People would say. Good to see you David. He would reply. "  Good to be seen."

Dads voicemail. When an old man dies a library burns down. This is So true our elders have a wealth of knowledge. Listen to them, learn from them.

OBITUARY

David Edwin Talbert

October 17, 1940 – December 17, 2018

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services