David was born November 8, 1941 in Covina, California. He was raised in San Rafael, California and was 1959 graduate of San Rafael High School. He graduated from the University of California-Santa Barbara in 1964. He went to Infantry Officers Candidate School in Fort Benning Georgia, where he was commissioned lieutenant. David was a combat veteran, serving in Vietnam in 1966 and 1967, and received a Combat Infantry Badge, a Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal for Valor and several other service awards. He survived many battles without a scratch.
David’s career was in the area of scientific and technical publishing. He was senior managing director of publications for the American Society of Civil Engineers for more than 20 years, overseeing an expansion of publications and launching several new journals. David did business internationally, notably in China when it was first opening to the West, in the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc, India, Egypt and Europe.
David enjoyed life in New York City, attending the theater, concerts, opera and ballet, and visiting the many art museums of which he was a member. David loved traveling and in retirement he and his wife, Michelle, visited Egypt, Turkey, Peru, Morocco and many parts of Europe. He also enjoyed taking road trips in the U.S., often to visit national parks. After his retirement David spent part of each year in Wisconsin where he enjoyed caring for his Victorian home, boating and collecting paintings by regional artists. He was active in veterans’ groups.
David will be remembered as a mentor, a gentleman, a loyal friend and loving husband, fun loving and generous.
David was preceded in death by his parents, William and Joyce Dresia. He is survived by his wife, Michelle Peterson Dresia, and his sister Sara Basque (Ron) Novato, California.
The funeral service and inurnment were at the Central Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery in King, Wisconsin.
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