David Oshel
November 20, 1944 ~ July 13, 2012
David C. Oshel, 67, of Cedar Rapids, died Friday, July 13, 2012, at the Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 17, 2012, at All Saints Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, by Rev. Jack Flaherty. Visitation: 5:30 ' 7:30 p.m. on Monday at the church, with a vigil service at 6 p.m. Visitation also one hour prior to the mass on Tuesday at the church. Burial at a later date at Merle Hay Cemetery, Des Moines. Arrangements are by Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids. Survivors include his wife, Cheryl; daughter, Tara Oshel; and two brothers, Robert (Peg) Oshel and Philip (Rene��) Oshel. David was born November 20, 1944, the son of Dr. Dale and Helen (Philips) Oshel. Memorials are suggested to All Saints Catholic Church.
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Cheryl and Tara, I will miss Dave. He was a rare friend, one who was avidly interested in life, amazingly observant and in possession of a droll spirit. And he was playful…game for almost anything! In his own, unique way he lived life to the fullest and left his mark. I’m so glad that I knew him.
Cheryl and Tara –
I am so sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. I didn’t realize that his condition had changed so drastically. He was one of my most favorite patients. He had a funny wit about him that I just loved. I know this is going to be a difficult time for you both. Dave and I had had conversations about his faith and he was content with what was to come. I hope for the both of you that you rely on your faith in the Lord also during this time. I miss you both!!!!!
Brooke (Nancy Morris’ office)
Cheryl and Tara: We will all miss David, but he will live in our memories forever. I was honored to know him and have been thinking about his various passions over the years. From magic squares, to a good frizbee toss, to one of the first personal web pages out there, David always went at it with enthusiasm. – Larry
Cheryl and Tara (if I may allow me to repeat part of what I wrote you today) — Dave and I go back to the late 1960s or early 1970s. We spent countless hours drinking coffee and playing chess in the ISU Memorial Union in Ames. We shared many years working on the Harkin campaigns and working in the same office in Washington, DC (Dave might have been a bit of a fish out of water during those years — he was dubious about politics — but his company and friendship made it more pleasant for me). Dave and I found lots of the same things interesting and we shared much of the same outlook on life and the world. I enjoyed his company.
I haven’t seen Dave for a long time. But, as you know, Dave and I traded lots of emails, both personal and as part of a small group of former ISU-types on an informal chain email, with the emails going back decades. For a while we played Internet chess, but as you know his game was go, not chess. I could not give Dave a good game of go or backgammon. We traded emails about cats, politics, and things Japanese and Iowan. He often wrote about wife and daughter. Neither could I match his interest in computers and literature. I often checked out (with amazement and amusement) Dave’s eclectic blog from afar. Dave had a way with words and ideas — he was a wordsmith. Dave forced me to look up more words in the dictionary then I care to admit. He had a great and unique sense of humor.
I have lots of good memories of Dave. His was one of the longest friendships I’ve had. Hearing of his death was sad and a blow — taking the wind away. I’ll be thinking of Dave as long as I’m capable of thinking.