I was wondering about my old colleague Dave Kirchner today and sadly my search took me here.
I knew Dave and worked with him in the late 1980s when we were both with Meredith, he in Des Moines, me in New York. He was always a delight and so talented and one of the people I missed the most when I moved on. We stayed in touch for a number of years but eventually lost track of each other.
I don't know if any of his family and friends will happen to see this (I see that events were more than four years ago) but I send my belated condolences.
LindaRose Nemo Levin
11/05/2013
I too was shocked to hear that David passed away. His keen wit and intelligence were present when were were growing up. He was my friend over my childhood and as a young adult. It was a gift having him as a friend and he will be remembered by us (My spouse and I). He played the piano beautifully. (I don't know if that is something that was known). It was a pleasure to hear him play. Our condolences to his family and friends.
Donna Halloum
08/14/2013
I am shocked to learn today that Dave passed away. We worked on an annual project together (this time of year), and his humor and expertise are what always got us through it. He shared his favorite music with me, too - trying to cheer me up - so as I'm reading condolences, I can only say he touched my life in all the same ways. I can relate to what everyone before me has written. My sincere condolences to his family and friends - he was an incredible, amazing, talented, fun person, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to work with him. Gone too soon - in our hearts forever.
Cindy Pearson Cole
07/22/2013
Oh Dave. What I remember about Dave was ... surprises. He always had something lively and funny to share about work, but then he'd turn up in the midst of scenes outside Meredith as well. Such as on the bike trail (he'd been an avid touring biker), and music (keen taste). Dave had a quick smile, too. He was fun, and his presence tonic.
Karen Weir-Jimerson
07/21/2013
My husband Doug and I just learned of Dave's passing. And we are so sad to hear this news. Dave was so talented and so funny. I worked with him on many writing projects and he always scoured the copy clean, making it shine. He was such a great person. If he is reading any of these posts, he probably has his red pen out, poised to make them better. I feel like leaving a typo here just to make him happy.
Doug Jimerson
07/20/2013
I was so saddened and shocked to hear of Dave's passing. Although I hadn't seen Dave in a number of years I remember him fondly from our days working together at Meredith Corporation. He was an exceptional wordsmith who didn't take anything, including himself, too seriously. He was a wonderful person who left us much too soon. My condolences to his family.
Joseph Comito
07/20/2013
I met Dave 20 years ago. He lived in the Highland Park Area of Des Moines, Iowa where I too grew up. He was so warm and hospitable. I left Iowa in 1977 but kept in touch with Dave primarily over the phone. Whenever I visited my immediate family in Iowa I would get together with Dave to socialize. He was so kind and compassionate. I loved his sense of humor - we laughed frequently during our visits.. I will deeply miss him and feel so grateful that I got to spend time with him and develop such a wonderful friendship.
Brenda Kienast
07/17/2013
I am so sorry to hear that Dave has passed away! I only knew Dave through work at Meredith Corp. and he couldnt have been a nicer person! I will always remember his laughter & kindness I know he will be missed by many! My condolences to his family he deffinately was a gem of a person!
Paul Krantz
07/16/2013
I can't recall an encounter with Dave that didn't involve raucous laughter and good cheer. As others have noted, he was an artist who painted vivid images with the simplest of words. Among other pursuits, Dave was expert at uncovering locally-owned authentic ethnic eateries for our too-infrequent lunches together. I owe him a debt of thanks for introducing me to pupusas. My condolences to his family and friends.
Sharyl Heiken
07/16/2013
I will miss Daves wit, varied interests, sharp pencil, ear-to-the-ground news flashes, fun-loving nature, and much, much more. Just a few weeks ago, I learned that Dave had been an Iowa Bake-Off finalist (junior division) while in high school. He mentioned that his grandmother was an Iowa Bake-Off finalist in 1948 and he treasured her recipe from that contest. Her experience inspired Dave to enter the baking contest in 1967. Besides baking in the ballroom of the Century Plaza Hotel in Beverly Hills and being on national TV, Dave got his picture taken with THE Howard Duff. Dave concluded his email by saying There. The secrets out. Sadly, I imagine there were a lot more secrets Dave will never have the chance to tell us.
Peggy Person
07/15/2013
Dave was a consummate wordsmith, for whom I had the greatest professional respect. But as a friend I also enjoyed his wit, his keen observations and his eagerness to share the music he loved so much. Once, before I set out on a car trip, he even gave me a CD compilation of songs that he considered great road music! And just two months ago he shared a link to the Jackson Browne song For a Dancer. How ironic those lyrics seem now. I will miss him very much.
Pamela Johnson
07/15/2013
I had not seen Dave in years...but that does not diminish the sadness I feel in learning of his passing. As a co-worker he was always there with just the right words. As a friend, he added smiles, music and laughs. I, too, offer my sincerest sympathy to his family.
Neoma Thomas
07/15/2013
Dave! It's your birthday! I gotta say -- your timing sucks! I remember the year a lot of us wrote birthday greeting to you while you were on RAGBRAI, and you picked those up
at my 2nd cousin Darrell's Place in Hamlin. Thanks so much for sharing the music, especially John Fogerty and Mark Knopler! You shared your music -- a great gift.
Sandra, George, Aaron, & Erik Granseth
07/15/2013
The sudden loss of Dave has been a shock to us all. The more enriched a person makes our lives, the harder it is for us to let them go. For this reason, saying goodbye to Dave is extremely difficult and words seem inadequate to express the sadness. Its hard not to wish for one more day, one more conversation, one more laugh, one more chance to say goodbye. Dave will be sorely missed.
Randy & Myritie Yontz
07/15/2013
We wish to share our sincere sympathy in the loss of Dave. He was a man with a lot of laughs & good times & this is a real shock. Our prayers go out to his family & all the great friends he had.
Greg Thompson
03/05/2018
I was wondering about my old colleague Dave Kirchner today and sadly my search took me here.
I knew Dave and worked with him in the late 1980s when we were both with Meredith, he in Des Moines, me in New York. He was always a delight and so talented and one of the people I missed the most when I moved on. We stayed in touch for a number of years but eventually lost track of each other.
I don't know if any of his family and friends will happen to see this (I see that events were more than four years ago) but I send my belated condolences.
LindaRose Nemo Levin
11/05/2013
I too was shocked to hear that David passed away. His keen wit and intelligence were present when were were growing up. He was my friend over my childhood and as a young adult. It was a gift having him as a friend and he will be remembered by us (My spouse and I). He played the piano beautifully. (I don't know if that is something that was known). It was a pleasure to hear him play. Our condolences to his family and friends.
Donna Halloum
08/14/2013
I am shocked to learn today that Dave passed away. We worked on an annual project together (this time of year), and his humor and expertise are what always got us through it. He shared his favorite music with me, too - trying to cheer me up - so as I'm reading condolences, I can only say he touched my life in all the same ways. I can relate to what everyone before me has written. My sincere condolences to his family and friends - he was an incredible, amazing, talented, fun person, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to work with him. Gone too soon - in our hearts forever.
Cindy Pearson Cole
07/22/2013
Oh Dave. What I remember about Dave was ... surprises. He always had something lively and funny to share about work, but then he'd turn up in the midst of scenes outside Meredith as well. Such as on the bike trail (he'd been an avid touring biker), and music (keen taste). Dave had a quick smile, too. He was fun, and his presence tonic.
Karen Weir-Jimerson
07/21/2013
My husband Doug and I just learned of Dave's passing. And we are so sad to hear this news. Dave was so talented and so funny. I worked with him on many writing projects and he always scoured the copy clean, making it shine. He was such a great person. If he is reading any of these posts, he probably has his red pen out, poised to make them better. I feel like leaving a typo here just to make him happy.
Doug Jimerson
07/20/2013
I was so saddened and shocked to hear of Dave's passing. Although I hadn't seen Dave in a number of years I remember him fondly from our days working together at Meredith Corporation. He was an exceptional wordsmith who didn't take anything, including himself, too seriously. He was a wonderful person who left us much too soon. My condolences to his family.
Joseph Comito
07/20/2013
I met Dave 20 years ago. He lived in the Highland Park Area of Des Moines, Iowa where I too grew up. He was so warm and hospitable. I left Iowa in 1977 but kept in touch with Dave primarily over the phone. Whenever I visited my immediate family in Iowa I would get together with Dave to socialize. He was so kind and compassionate. I loved his sense of humor - we laughed frequently during our visits.. I will deeply miss him and feel so grateful that I got to spend time with him and develop such a wonderful friendship.
Brenda Kienast
07/17/2013
I am so sorry to hear that Dave has passed away! I only knew Dave through work at Meredith Corp. and he couldnt have been a nicer person! I will always remember his laughter & kindness I know he will be missed by many! My condolences to his family he deffinately was a gem of a person!
Paul Krantz
07/16/2013
I can't recall an encounter with Dave that didn't involve raucous laughter and good cheer. As others have noted, he was an artist who painted vivid images with the simplest of words. Among other pursuits, Dave was expert at uncovering locally-owned authentic ethnic eateries for our too-infrequent lunches together. I owe him a debt of thanks for introducing me to pupusas. My condolences to his family and friends.
Sharyl Heiken
07/16/2013
I will miss Daves wit, varied interests, sharp pencil, ear-to-the-ground news flashes, fun-loving nature, and much, much more. Just a few weeks ago, I learned that Dave had been an Iowa Bake-Off finalist (junior division) while in high school. He mentioned that his grandmother was an Iowa Bake-Off finalist in 1948 and he treasured her recipe from that contest. Her experience inspired Dave to enter the baking contest in 1967. Besides baking in the ballroom of the Century Plaza Hotel in Beverly Hills and being on national TV, Dave got his picture taken with THE Howard Duff. Dave concluded his email by saying There. The secrets out. Sadly, I imagine there were a lot more secrets Dave will never have the chance to tell us.
Peggy Person
07/15/2013
Dave was a consummate wordsmith, for whom I had the greatest professional respect. But as a friend I also enjoyed his wit, his keen observations and his eagerness to share the music he loved so much. Once, before I set out on a car trip, he even gave me a CD compilation of songs that he considered great road music! And just two months ago he shared a link to the Jackson Browne song For a Dancer. How ironic those lyrics seem now. I will miss him very much.
Pamela Johnson
07/15/2013
I had not seen Dave in years...but that does not diminish the sadness I feel in learning of his passing. As a co-worker he was always there with just the right words. As a friend, he added smiles, music and laughs. I, too, offer my sincerest sympathy to his family.
Neoma Thomas
07/15/2013
Dave! It's your birthday! I gotta say -- your timing sucks! I remember the year a lot of us wrote birthday greeting to you while you were on RAGBRAI, and you picked those up
at my 2nd cousin Darrell's Place in Hamlin. Thanks so much for sharing the music, especially John Fogerty and Mark Knopler! You shared your music -- a great gift.
Sandra, George, Aaron, & Erik Granseth
07/15/2013
The sudden loss of Dave has been a shock to us all. The more enriched a person makes our lives, the harder it is for us to let them go. For this reason, saying goodbye to Dave is extremely difficult and words seem inadequate to express the sadness. Its hard not to wish for one more day, one more conversation, one more laugh, one more chance to say goodbye. Dave will be sorely missed.
Randy & Myritie Yontz
07/15/2013
We wish to share our sincere sympathy in the loss of Dave. He was a man with a lot of laughs & good times & this is a real shock. Our prayers go out to his family & all the great friends he had.