David E. Szymanski

David Edward Szymanski went to be with the Lord on November 1, 2017 after a courageous battle with cancer . He has left us far too soon.
He has left behind to mourn his death his wife Pamula A. (Rippe), three wonderful children, Benjamin D (Kettering) , Andrew D (Dayton) and Sarah P. Szymanski-Blom (Philip ) (Los Alamos, NM). Also his first grandchild Felix Henrik Blom. His mother Joan, brother Darryl (wife Kim) and sisters Julie and Sharon.

David was very athletic and played football, basketball and baseball in high school. His true love was football which he was very successful. In high school he was names Macomb Daily All Staff Offensive Tackle, The Detroit News named him All Suburban East First Team Defensive Tackle and the Bi-County First Team Defensive and Offensive tackle. His high school coaches names him Most Valuable Player his senior year. David went on to Central Michigan University for 1 year and transferred to Wayne State University. After being red shirted for 1 year, he moved into the starting left tackle role for the rest of his career. He was very successful at WSU being named the Most improved Player in 1976 and to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All Conference team 1976. He was very instrumental in helping his team win the GLIAC championsip, the first for Wayne State University. His line coach was quoted in saying "Dave does his job time after time – he is the quietest of the quiet" . David loved football and after college tried out both for the Seattle Seahawks and the Detroit Lions. While he wasn't kept on the roster, God had other plans for his life.
David gave his life to the Lord at 18 years old. He was an active member and leader in WSU's Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He became a Sunday School teacher starting with children and then as he became taught adults. He developed New Christian circulium to help adults learn about Christ. He also found time to be a Caravan leader (Scouting program) for 5th – 6th graders, bravely taking them camping each fall. He never lost his love of athletics and played basketball and softball with his local church, often helping those who were younger be successful without them being aware.
David's position was left tackle – something he was proud of and even after leaving the game always kept that trait. A left tackle is usually the most intelligent, important player on the line. It is their job to protect the quarterback at all times, and he always protected his. Whether it was his family, friends or work, David was always there for everyone. If you needed help with something – he was there.
David was very quiet and had eclectic interests. While the Detroit Lions,Redwings and U of M football were his passion, he was also was extremely artistic , highly knowledgeable about artists, music, and the City of Detroit. He loved to create art pieces for his family and recently had ventured into making concrete tiles. It was his dream to start selling his art at local establishments. His love for God and spiritual things were also forefront in his life. He was always willing to share with those who needed Christ in their life. He had a special way of explaining it to others. He was blending his art and love of Christ in the last years.

David was a hard worker, He moved the family to the Chicago area in 1981 to start his own company. He moved his family back to Michigan after 8 years to be closer to family. He was a dedicated sales manager for several companies. It was in that capacity he was moved to the Dayton Ohio area. His plan was always to move back to Michigan – he never felt home in Ohio. In Ohio he was instrumental in relocating a local church to their new building, becoming their business manager.

Above all, his family was his life. He was always encouraging his wife and children to "become the best they could be – in whatever they wanted to do". He was patient, kind and very loving. He always had time to listen to them, help them figure out life.

This was one of his favorite passages that he lived by:

The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
NIV Isaiah 40:31

I was truly blessed to have been married to David as long as we were. He was ALWAYS pushing me to "reach my personal best" no matter what endeavor I undertook. When I had to go back to school to become a medical assistant, he was amazingly supportive. As we went to doctor appointments, he would tell everyone that "this is my wife, she is my personal medical assistant,". In fact when the first group of physicians told him about 9 months after his original diagnosis there was nothing more that they could do - he didn't give up. From his time at Wayne State he knew they were a fantastic medical school and they may have something to help or could at least guide him. We were blessed and they had a trial program he participated in which the drug eventually received FDA approval. He never was angry with God, or questioned "why me". He was always looking for some bright spot to bring purpose into this illness. As we drove to Detroit for his treatments and he always wanted to "make an adventure out of it". He would research different places for us to stop and have lunch so that it made the trip fun. He said he "wanted to make sure he lived long enough so I could start the next chapter of my life and he knew I would be OK". Those times driving up for treatments or to see the Lions we had some amazing talks. I think that is what I will miss the most. Always teasing me, making me laugh, caring for our crazy dogs (because he knew how much I loved them). He was my best friend and soul mate. I know people always say that, but he really was. We have been through a lot, and no matter how bleak it looked, he was the eternal optimist – always picking me up and seeing good. I will be lost without that guidance.

Andrew, David's second son
I lost my father on November 1st. After a protracted illness, I thought I'd be ready for that day, I was not. I think I always thought, somehow, he'd persevere, as he'd always done. It's now, that I fully realize the strength of my dad. For that, I feel a sense of guilt. I wish I could've had the time to tell him everything I learned from him, all the examples of conduct I picked up, and all the ways his strength allowed me to be weak and how he lifted me up.

He gave selflessly to others, often to a fault, and kept on giving, sharing, and honoring others, despite how difficult that could sometimes be. His optimism, faith, love, and kindness is the template for my life. When things are tough, I often try to think what my dad would do, not what my selfishness or self preservation would tempt me to.

I know my Dad was proud of me. We'd sit and talk about the things going on in my life and he'd tell me what the best thing to do was, but it was really just reminding me of the things that I already knew, because he'd already shown me. I will continue to do my best to spread his philosophy of love, patience, and generosity for the remainder of my time.
My father touched many lives. Whether if it was through ministry, conversation, or by his actions. As I communicated the news to my close friends, many came forward to say what impact he had on their lives, even those who just met him a few times. His aura of calm, quiet, gentle strength just filled a space and you were forced to take notice.
I'm going to miss him, even though he was ready. He regretted not having more time with his family and he wanted to do so much more to minister and help others. That was his way. Selfless.
There's so many things left to say about him, a whole world of people that will never have the chance to meet him themselves. The best we can do now is share his story and the things he taught us. In that way, my father will live forever. In my heart, and through me.
----
I will always obey your law,
for ever and ever.
I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.
I will speak of your statutes before kings
and will not be put to shame,
for I delight in your commands
because I love them.
I reach out for your commands, which I love,
that I may meditate on your decrees.
Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.
My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.
Psalm 119 44-50

Sarah, David's Daughter- His Princess and Little Critter
My dad was literally the strongest human being on the planet. No other person could have battled the rare and aggressive cancer he had for as long as he did and with the bravery that he had. Yet, on the 1st of November, I lost one of my favorite people and my biggest cheerleader. I am devastated that I have lost my confidant and close friend; I lost my dad.
My dad was the least selfish person I knew. He gave up everything to make sure that I knew I was loved and supported. He would talk with me for hours about whatever; the most minuscule problems... and would just listen and respond in affirmation that I was "the best and doing such a great job". He would send me text messages to remind me how much he loved me or that he was thinking about me. Even with the things that seem so little and insignificant, like paint colors or landscaping advice, he wanted to be involved in my life in every way. No matter how small the problem or decision, he was always willing to offer his advice and help whenever he could.

I wish I could go back to those times and to learn more about him and not always have the conversation feel so one sided, but that was the man he was. He would listen and do whatever he could to help and reassure me in whatever was going on in my life. He was always loving, patient, honest, and one of the few people I would consider a true man of God. He was always empathetic and never judging, and I strive to show that same compassion to everyone I interact with.
I would not be the person I am today without him, and I just hope that I can continue to make him proud. We might have disagreed sometimes, but he always knew exactly what to say to me to understand his ideas and he tried to understand mine. One of his treatments involved a clinical trial used immunotherapy to attack his cancer. I remember him saying to me that he wasn't sure if it would work or save him, but if he could help medical science move forward and help heal other people, then it would be worth it. It seems so silly, but he knew how much saying something like that would mean to me and help me process and come to terms with his illness.
It is unfair that a person as wonderful as him was taken from us. He could have lived to 100 and it still would have been too soon to lose hm. People like may Dad don't come around very often, and they are never truly appreciated until they are gone. I hope I can be even a small fraction of the great parent that he was. I hope to pass down as many of the silly traditions, horrible puns, and inside jokes we had together to my son, because I want him to know him, his Grandpa.

Most of all, I want to carry on his memory of being a decent, loving, and empathetic person and live my life as an example for others.

I hope he knows how much I loved him.