Dave was born and grew up in the small community of West Liberty, OH. He had dreams of exploring the world beyond his home community, so he began by saving for college by delivering papers. He later attended Goshen College in Indiana for one year until he was drafted. As a conscientious objector, he did alternative service as a health attendant for spinal cord injured patients for two years. He later returned to Goshen College, graduating with a degree in Biology in 1960. He met his wife, Marian, at college and made many life-long friends.
Dave and Marian served as volunteers with the Mennonite Central Committee in the field of education in Kaimosi, Kenya for three years where he achieved his dream of climbing Mt. Kiliminjaro. This experience shaped their world view, resulting in a passion for peace and social justice issues, exposure to cultures through travel and hosting of exchange students, interest in global politics, an abiding appreciation for outdoor activities in nature and being an active member of a faith community.
He completed his doctorate in Plant Pathology at Michigan State University in 1971. His career at both Hunt Wesson Foods and at Gilroy Foods was focused on improving agricultural productivity through plant research. He lived in Gilroy for 31 years and has been a member of Gilroy Presbyterian church throughout.
Dave is survived by his wife of 48 years, Marian, his children, Sandra Yoder, Christopher Yoder and Gretchen and husband Kermit Yoder-Schrock, his beloved grandchildren Jacob and Sabine, and four siblings, Nancy Long, Don Yoder, Mary Alice Hertzler and Libby Pyles.
A memorial service will be held July 11, 2009 at 11:00 A.M., Gilroy Presbyterian Church, 6000 Miller Avenue, Gilroy, CA 95020. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee (www.mcc.org ) or to Unicef (www.unicef.org)
