Wehrenberg, David F ("Dave"), passed peacefully on November 4, 2022 at the age of 96 in his home surrounded by his loving family.
Born on July 9, 1926 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to Henry and Bertha Wehrenberg, Dave was the middle child of five. It was a close-knit family and his best friend growing up was his younger brother, Tom, with whom he engaged in youthful mischief. Dave attended Central High School in Fort Wayne, and after graduation he enlisted in the U S Navy. He served for two years on the USS Carpelloti (APD-136), a high speed transport in the Atlantic Fleet based in Norfolk, Virginia. Judging by the Navy pictures Dave saved, he made many friends and his service to his country was a significant period of his life. After his discharge, he attended Valparaiso University, a small Lutheran college in Valparaiso, Indiana, and the University of Iowa in Iowa City, graduating with a business administration degree. While attending Valparaiso, Dave attended a dance with his friend at the Bledsoe Dance Pavilion on Lake James. He was mesmerized by a 16-year old auburn beauty but not deterred when his friend commented that there was no chance she would go on a date with him. Dave went home that night and told his mother he had met the girl he was going to marry. He worked his magic with his humor, enthusiasm and good looks, and they were married two years later on November 25, 1950 in the middle of a record Indiana snowstorm.
Dave began working at Tokheim Corporation in Fort Wayne, at one time the world's largest producer of gasoline pumps. He was transferred to Seattle and in 1959 accepted the District Sales Manager position in Tulsa after declining earlier opportunities to relocate to New York City or San Francisco. Dave believed Tulsa was a better place to raise his family. He retired from Tokheim in 1987 but stayed active. In the early 1970s, he discovered an aptitude and love for tennis, and joined newly established Philcrest Hills Tennis Club where he formed decades-long close friendships and played (and won) countless tough singles and doubles matches. Dave was a wonderful and loving husband to Janet, and an incredible role model for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was an active participant in all their activities even when health issues slowed him down. Dave and Janet also enjoyed travel, antiquing and spending time with friends. A vitally important aspect of Dave's life was being part of the Asbury community for 48 years. Dave was a loyal and faithful servant with unwavering faith. His optimism, humor, values, generosity, love of family and friends, and his kindness and goodness were a gift to all who loved him.
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Janet; his children (Diane Wehrenberg, Karen Wackenhuth (Mike) and David Wehrenberg (Ellen); his grandchildren (Katie Dawson (Danny), Christy Tanusaputra (Joshua), Evan Marlow (Lisa) and Lyric Simmons); his precious great grandchildren (Henry and Bennett Dawson, and Judah Tanusaputra) and his sister, Joyce Geroff, of Naperville, Illinois.
A service to celebrate Dave's beautiful life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on November 22nd at Asbury Church, 6767 S Mingo Road, Tulsa. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Dave's name can be made to Asbury Church or your favorite charity.