David C Gaubatz (1925-2002) *77

The passing of David Gaubatz was in part a very long battle with emphysema of which I witnessed until the end of his days. In his final years before passing David was not himself most of the time (my guess a lack of oxygen to his brain due to the illness). I grew up knowing David since 1951 as a child along with my brothers and sisters would watch him working on his motorcycle (in the alley) behind his apartment on Calvert street in Detroit. I grew up with him and he was accepted as an uncle in our family who spent Christmases with us until he passed. David was a Navy world war 2 sailor who served on the USS Helm DD338. David used to tell us about his dealings with the worst storm in the pacific during the war along with other points of interest. It is sorrowful he passed alone as I did contact his Alice Texas relatives during his final months, I contacted his brother who did come up and meet with our family but sadly didn't inform us of his passing and I didn't find out until long after as our family wanted to sponsor a service of which didn't happen. All of my son's along with the rest of the family miss David as he was quite a character. God Bless you David you are sorely missed by all.