In Loving Memory of
David Pedersen
David Pedersen passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 7, 2020. He was at home, surrounded by his family.
David was born in Chicago, IL in 1939. He grew up there with his parents, Martha and Carroll and his brother, Paul. He is survived by his wife, Janet, his brother Paul, his children Martha and Paul, and his grandchildren Conrad and Mila. David and Janet were married for 53 years.
David graduated from Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois in 1961. He attained his Master’s of Arts degree in geology from Iowa State University in 1963 and his Doctorate of Philosophy degree in geology from Louisiana State University in 1970.
After graduate school, David began a long life full of travel and adventure. David’s career in oil and gas included work with Atlantic Richfield Company and as a consultant in oil and gas exploration in many countries throughout the world.
In 1999, David retired and he and Janet moved to Naples, FL. As soon as they moved to Naples they joined Emmanuel Lutheran Church, where David was an active member. David was a life-long Lutheran and had a strong faith, which gave him strength and solace throughout his life.
David enjoyed many activities over the years including sailing, running, tennis and golf. He had a great love of music and art and loved to paint. His oil paintings are wonderful gifts that the family will treasure.
David was a wonderful, loving man who delighted in the little things in life. He will be dearly missed by all those who knew him for his enthusiasm and love for each and every day. We miss you, Dad.
A service was broadcast from Emmanuel Lutheran Church via Virtual Memorial Gatherings on Saturday, May 16th at 6:00 PM EDT.
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Paul and Martha my deepest sympathies to you. I am sorry to have lost touch with you as well as your mom and dad. They were such good friends. I am also saddened to let you know that Diane passed away 11 August 2021
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David was the first person that I met at LSU when I arrived from South Africa in 1966 and he helped me settle in. Our PhD dissertation projects overlapped somewhat so we spent a lot of time together, including Eugenia after 1967. David and Janet were very kind to my mother, and she stayed with them during Janet’s first pregnancy in the Married Students quarters at LSU on her visit from South Africa. David was a good and kind man with a warm smile and we will miss him. We are pleased that you are having a zoom memorial service so we can attend from Australia. We enjoyed time with David, Janet, Martha & Paul in Australia and have kept in touch over the years, in Indonesia, China, Dallas and Naples. Wishing you God’s peace.
David & Eugenia Hobday
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William and Terrilynne Boling
David always had a smile and a kind word to say about everyone. He was courteous and genuine. His dry sense of humor was enjoyed by all of us.
We will miss him greatly.
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William (Bo) and Terrilynne Boling
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We are saddened to hear of David’s passing. He was a very special man and we have been blessed to have known him
Our condolences to you Janet and your family
May he Rest In Peace
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Dear Janet,
So sorry to hear about Dave’s passing. He always said hello to me and was so nice to me.
He will be missed.
Love Carol Tannenbaum
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David we will miss you you have been a great friend over the years and not seeing your smiling face around the club is going to be a great loss to us all
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We became friends with David and Janet thru Emmanuel congregation. David’s warm smile , friendly, open manner were always welcoming. Our friendship with David and Janet grew over the years through social gatherings, educational church events and casual time together. We will miss David in so many ways. We celebrate David’s deep faith in Christ and cherish Janet’s friendship. Glen and Shirley Gronlund
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We met David nearly 20 years ago when we bought in Vanderbilt and typical of David he has very welcoming to strangers from Scotland. it was always a delight to see him when we returned and our friendship grew over the years.
Each year we came back It was always great to catch up and renew our friendship
We had a common interest in art and music and we always enjoyed chating about places in europe
David was always great company and a perfect gentleman.
Church was very important to David and he was kind enough to invite to one of the services at his church.
He will be sorely missed but will leave behind many happy memories . Anyone who new David is a better peson for having known him.
Kevin and Mary O’Sullivan
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David was a true joy to know he always had a smile and a gentle hi when ever he saw you. David had a kind and gentle soul. He will be missed.
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David……what a kind, gentle, caring man. I looked forward to his smiling welcome and hugs before church and coffee chats afterward. He was loved and will be missed.
My deepest sympathy to you, Janet, and your family. May God wrap his loving arms around you and give you strength and comfort during this difficult time.
God bless you, dear friend.
Love and hugs,
Gussie Paulson
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David was always such a happy person. I can still see his smile from across the table at one of our Friday night get together at the club. He will be missed by all. My prayers go out to Janet and the family during this difficult time. Camille Pandolfelli
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Janet,
You have been in our prayers and will continue to be; we have been wondering how you are both doing. We always loved being with you both – Dave’s sense of humor and wit and warm smile always made us smile. You were a good team together, a good balance for each other, and you sure have had a long run of it together. As Sally and others have said, we wish we could give you a big hug today, but we will do it virtually for now, and hopefully soon in person. Our sincere condolences to you and your family.
God Bless you,
Tom and Karen Palmer
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Dave was the “Happy Warrior” on the golf course. Always trying to improve his game with a smile on his face. We will miss you.
God Bless
Ray and Merle Rauch
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Janet and Family
How sorry we are to hear of David’s passing! David was always a joy to be around and there never was a lack for words! We shall miss him! We know we shall see him one day with all the glorious saints in Heaven! Know that our prayers are with you now and in the coming months! God"s Blessings ! Love, Gordy and Dee Sprenger
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Oh I’m sorry to hear that David didn’t hang in there for this last life. I always told him he had 9 lives because he bounced back from one treatment or another. We will miss him at Emmanuel. My heart goes out to you Janet! Wish I could give you a hug right now, but please feel my virtual hug. I’m so glad you are having a zoom memorial service so I can attend from Madison, Wisconsin.
God Bless you dear friend. Love, Sally Johnson
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Janet,
Please accept our sincere condolences for your loss. We have such fond memories of David. He was a special person, always with a big smile and hello for everyone. Jim loved his breakfasts out with David, gossiping and solving the world’s problems! We can all take comfort in knowing that he’s no longer suffering and is in the arms of the Lord.
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Janet,
You know that you and David have been like family to me. I am so sorry for your loss, and selfishly for all of us being separated from him for a season. However, we should take comfort knowing that David is now in Heaven with no pain and no more disease. In fact, he’s probably got his normal big smile on his face right now and is painting some of the most beautiful sceneries that any of us could ever imagine. As fellow-believers we will be reunited with him again one day in the future…so this separation is just for a season. David was an honorable man. He was kind, loving, compassionate, and an excellent provider. What a wonderful legacy that he has left for you and Paul and Martha. He will be missed.
God Bless,
Eliot
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Jack and I feel lucky to have had the Pedersons as neighbors and fellow church members for many years. Even in the most trying times, they greeted us with warmth and positive comments. Such courage was an example to us all!
Janet, may you find a measure of peace knowing DAVE is at peace. Our prayers for you and the family continue.
So much love, Jack and Nancy
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I am so sorry to hear of David’s passing. Condolences to Janet, the family and friends. Though I greeted David almost every Sunday, I never knew the severity of his illness; this is a testament to his strength and the brightness of his Spirit. David’s intellectual curiosity, his kindness and his smile were a gift to us all. He will live on in all of us. Prayers for strength and comfort for Janet and the family in these challenging times.
Howard Isaacson
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We met Pedersens through the TWE committee at Emmanuel church. After awhile, we realized we were friends with David’s brother and sister in law at our church in Hayward WI. These brothers share a particularly close bond, and they are both special guys. Our thoughts and prayers extend to Janet and family and to Paul Pedersen. May God bless David, now that his long, valiant fight with cancer has brought him to peace. May many good memories of this kind man bring you comfort.
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David will surely be missed. We looked forward to his smiling face, hugs and cheerful words at church on Sundays. His kindness, genuine concern and gentle ways will be remembered and we give thanks for the chance to have known him.
Our love, thoughts and prayers for God’s blessings are with you, Janet and family.
Tom and Norine
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When I think of David, I see his wonderful smile that could light up a room. Every time I saw him at church, no matter what trials he was enduring, he had that wonderful smile and the light of Christ glowed in his face. Keeping you in our prayers, Janet.
Fondly,
Margaret and Roy Wolff
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Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Janet, and all your family. David will be missed by all who knew him. He was a very special man.
With love, Michael and Barbara
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Uncle Dave was always such a big figure to me. Not only because he was so tall and had such a terrific smile but he was the kind of person you just looked up to. I mean how many kids have an uncle who lived all around the globe looking for geological treasure…oil! My wife Monica and I had the opportunity to stay with Aunt J and Uncle D each spring for the last ten years or so and our kids got to know and love them more and more each time we visited. About 7 years ago we went golfing at VCC and I had the opportunity to learn from his steady calm play. Unfortunately, I didn’t return the favor because I hit a wicked slice off the tee and hit some some guys roof. The man came running out and stared me down and Uncle Dave just kept on walking and said to me “hey fella if you buy a house on the narrowest fairway on the course it’s going to get plunked from time to time”. I will also miss sharing wine and having robust conversations about current affairs and our favorite golfing personalities.
We will miss Uncle Dave dearly but when we remember him we will always have smiles on our faces because of the many fond memories we shared together.
Love Jon, Monica, Kieran and Kenny
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David was a great friend. We were in a small group with David and Janet for many years. We shared food, study, and community. Even travelled for "weekend getaways". Fun times. Also enjoyed going out to dinner with them when the snowbirds were back up north. Tried to find new places to try out but it was tough because David and Janet had already been there.
We will surely miss his smile and friendship.
Jamie and Marilyn
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David was a wonderful friend. He always had a smile and a hug. We had many brunches together and it made Sunday’s special. He was a loving and caring to all who knew him. We will miss him very much. We send love, hugs and prayers to Janet, Martha and Paul.
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David was truly one of the nicest person that I ever met. Our families shared many wonderful years together in Jakarta and in Dallas. I especially remember the Thanksgiving and Christmas meals shared. David was a humble and enthusiastic servant and our world is a bit duller without him. On the other hand he’s sure added more light in heaven. I have no doubt that he’s already greeted every old friend who’s already there and is busily doing God’s work. Blessings to Janet, Paul, and Martha. With love, Bev Patton
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The first word that comes to mind when I think about David is "grateful". Whenever we got together, he was always full of awe and gratitude about the little things, and made sure to let us know. He would take a seat at the dinner table and say, "Well isn’t this just wonderful!", and everyone would smile and take a breath and feel special. Even last Christmas, when he was obviously not doing great, he spread positivity in every little moment. I remember I got him a magazine, rolled up with some twine and his name label attached. Pretty simple Christmas gift, I would say. But David looked me right in the eye and said, "Well this is just perfect." And I really believe he meant it! I am convinced that his grateful attitude has rubbed off on everyone who was close to him (I feel so lucky to have Martha in my life!) and they will keep David’s positive spirit alive.
Carpe Diem
Merel
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Dear Janet, Martha, and Paul
Sending my love to you all. David was a wonderful cousin and friend he will be missed. Love to you all ❤️?
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What I will remember most about Uncle David was his sense of humor. He was able to see the humor in any situation. I remember going to an LA Dodgers game with him when I was maybe 10. We left at the top of the ninth to avoid the crowds. The Dodgers were down 0-3. A sure loss. But David was kind enough to turn the game on the radio in the car. In the bottom of the ninth, the Dodgers had loaded bases and hit a home run. Us kids were beside ourselves—we’d not only missed the only excitement of the game, we’d missed being there when the team won! I can’t remember what David said, but we all laughed about it the rest of the way home. The ride home sticks in my mind while I can’t remember a minute of the game itself!
Cary