"Dave was a teacher of mine in 1976. I appreciated how caring and committed he was. I have very fond memories of my time at NWTC. It always impressed me how genuine he was. When ever we would happen to meet for years to come he remembered me by name and would engage in a warm conversation. I'm sure Dave impacted many people in positive ways. Dave will be missed, Cathy G."
In loving memory of
David Voskuil
May 15, 1939 - April 12, 2013
David A. Voskuil, 73, entered his heavenly home when he lost his battle with lung cancer April 12, 2013. He was born May 15, 1939 to Dutch parents, Edward and Alice (Simmelink) Voskuil, joining six older sisters, on a farm near Baldwin, WI. After graduating from high school in 1957, he attended the barber program at Eau Claire Vocational School, graduating in 1958. It was there on a blind date he met the love of his life, Sally Dabbert, whom he married August 15, 1959 in a neat little church in the township of Wein. They lived in Wausau where Dave had a barbershop.
He also served as president of the local Barber Union until October 1965. He then had the opportunity to become the Barber instructor for NWTC in Green Bay until his retirement in 1998. He was instrumental in helping to start Vocation Clubs of America, now known as Skills USA, an organization that state, national and international levels compete in Leadership Technical Vocational and Health Occupation programs. Dave was very proud to have two of his barber students win medals on the national level. During the more than 20 years as VICA advisor, he received numerous awards of appreciation and for advisor of the year. Dave received the Joseph E. Carroll award for service to students in 1991 and in 1995 was awarded Brown County Human Services Merrill Allard Volunteer of the year by the BCHS. After retiring from NWTC, he worked as security for Austin Strabel Airport for two years and had been employed at Allouez Catholic Cemetery for the past 12 years. Dave has been a member of Bethany United Methodist Church since 1967 when they moved to Ashwaubenon. He served as Sunday school teacher and was very fond of the youth program. Along with his wife, he was very active in the Green Bay Diabetes Association. Dave enjoyed several years of coaching his sons in little league. Since 1955, Dave, along with his sister Dee, were "expert" Packers fans and could spend hours rehashing the games.
Dave is survived by his wife, Sally; sons, Kim, Kyle (Candi), Derk; daughter-in-law, Lisa Voskuil; grandchildren, Rachel and Gabriel Voskuil, Dane and Rowan Voskuil, Shamarr, Shaquinn and Sierra Voskuil; sisters, Eleanor Engstorn, Sheboygan Falls, Delores (Lowell) TeBeest, Germantown, Marlis Blok, Baldwin, Carol (Reuben) TerLouw, Pella, IA; brothers-in-law, Roger (Anna) Dabbert, San Jose, CA, Craig Schwartz, Denver, CO., many nieces, nephews and tons of friends.
He is preceded in death by his son, Rick in 2000; his parents and sisters, Laverne Somsen and Muriel Christenson.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 27 at Bethany United Methodist Church, 1110 Echo Lane from 10:30 a.m. until the Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Randell Richter officiating. Online condolences may be expressed at www.lyndahl.com.
A special thanks to Unity Hospice for all their compassion and care. Also, to the "Skelton" family for their support, especially our number one angel, Kristin. Thanks to Dave for being a great husband, dad "papa", brother and friend. All our love and admiration forever.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Dave's name.
Tributes
"Our sympathy and prayers for Dave's family. I worked with Dave since 1968. I had great respect and admiration for him as a teacher and colleague. He was always a great professional educator, but more, he was a great friend and human being."
"We will always remember Dave for his wonderful positive attitude in his work. He cared a great deal about his students and education. He made a wonderful contribution to the youth of the Green Bay area. "
"Blessings to your family. I so enjoyed Dave's personality. I remember him with joy through our work. May your faith sustain you. Peace to you. "
"Thoughts and prayers to the Voskuil faamily.May God give you extra strength in the days ahead. Gretchen Catalano"
"Dave Was a teacher of mine at NWTC. He was a great guy who pushed me to succeed. It took the time out of his day to help me study. He had a great smile everyone will remember and a great laugh."
"Dave had a way of making us feel like we were a part of his family. He was a wonderful man whose kindness, good humor, and generousity will always be remembered. We are lucky to have known such a great man. Our thoughts are with you Sal."
"I grew up as a friend of Kim's and Dave always treated me like one of his sons. We moved to Ashwaubenon in 1965 from Wausau and I met up with Dave's son Kim in school and all of us soon discovered that Dave had been our barber in Wausau and we all had a great laugh about meeting up again. Kim and I bummed around together in high school and for several years after until we all moved to different parts of the country. I met up again with Dave several years ago when I stopped by to pick up Kim for our high school reunion to find smiling Dave - the same regular guy. You will be missed."
"Our prayers and condolences to the Voskuil family. We were neighbors when we moved to Ashwaubenon in 1969 and will always remember the Voskuil's and Skelton's entrance at our Halloween Party in 1970. Dave always had a smile and a good word whenever he saw you. The world needs more people with his positive attitude."
"To Dave's family and especially Sally. So sorry you lost your hubby. He was the handsome young man you met in Eau Claire, while we attended beauty school together, and he went to barber school. We have many fond memories as best friends in high school and throughout some 60 years. Al knew you in grade school. All four of us had good times together. May Dave rest in peace. Love and hugs--Verla and Al Kolberg."
"To the Voskuil family, we have more memories than space provides. Each one brings a smile or an out and out belly laugh as we remember our life with your family. Our Thanksgiving dinners have never been the same since the times when Dave would start his blessing with "Oh most Heavenly Gracious Father". The Skelton girls would start to snicker and Mom would give us the "don't you dare" look. That made it even harder to straighten up. We'd get the Voskuil boys giggling as we tried to behave through the prayer. We must talk about that every year. Dave is and always will be in our hearts and daily prayers. We sadly miss him. It was our privilege to share his last weeks with the family. We love you all very much."