Obituary

David George Dustman “Dave”, 71, of Gilbert, Arizona, passed away unexpectedly on December 22, 2023. Born on December 1, 1952, in Bucyrus, Ohio, Dave lived a life defined by love, dedication, and a profound commitment to service in the areas of mental health, addiction recovery, and suicide prevention.

Dave was a kind, loving, and compassionate man who always went out of his way to help others. From lending a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, or a special creamer for your coffee, he was one that his friends and loved ones could depend on for comfort and support. Dave had a successful career in the field of addiction counseling, earning two Master’s degrees from Grand Canyon University. He dedicated his time and energy to raising awareness and advocating for mental health, striving to bring hope and encouragement to those in need. His unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of others will be remembered by all who knew him.

Dave’s proudest accomplishment in life was his role as a loving father and devoted grandfather, “Bapa”. A true family man, Dave cherished every moment spent with his daughter and his grandchildren Michael, Allora, Madalyn, and Thomas. He also had the amazing joy of being a great-grandfather to Jude, who stole his heart with her infectious giggles. He seized any opportunity to share his love and wisdom with heartfelt advice, guidance, and a big warm hug.

Dave found pleasure in a variety of pastimes. He could often be found on the porch enjoying a good mystery thriller novel, such as James Patterson. In the kitchen, his culinary prowess shone through, delighting his family and loved ones with his delicious creations. He found happiness in sharing his cooking and baking wisdom with his daughter and grandkids, from scrambled eggs to salmon and asparagus, and of course, his famous sugar cookies that everyone looked forward to every Christmas. He was a true connoisseur of coffee, he savored every sip, and found comfort and pleasure in a well-brewed cup of java. Dave was a musician and although it had been many years since he strummed the strings, he still held the memories of his younger days leading the rock group, Flash Cadillac and the Cosmic Kids, close to his heart. He was also an avid golfer in his younger days and enjoyed perfecting his swing on the golf course and worked for many years as a golf professional.

Friends and family are invited to gather and commemorate David’s life on February 3rd at 10am. Services will be held at Sun Valley Community Church-Gilbert in the Student Center, 456 E Ray Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that contributions be made to the American Society for Suicide Prevention, a cause that Dave held dear and championed throughout his life.

Dave is survived by his daughter Kirsten (Brandon), his grandsons Michael (Tristen) and Thomas, his granddaughters Allora and Madalyn, and his great-granddaughter Jude. Dave is also survived by Debbie, his former spouse and best friend for 50+ years. He was preceded in death by his father George, his mother Addie May, and his brother Robert “Bob”.

Dave will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched. His legacy of love, compassion, and dedication to mental health, addiction recovery, and suicide prevention will continue to inspire others to make a positive impact in the world.