David Martin Toepel, Sr. (Dave) passed away on December 13, 2024 with his family at his side.

He was born on September 6, 1944 in Bad Axe, Michigan to Martin and Mabel Toepel (Krause). He was the second oldest of five children. Dave’s father, a Lutheran minister and teacher, provided a strong foundation for the family through their shared faith and involvement in the Church. Dave attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School in Saginaw, Michigan, where he received his grade-school education from kindergarten through eighth grade.

Dave attended Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary High School (MLS), where he was a stellar athlete, earning letters in football, basketball, baseball, and track. His senior year he was recognized as captain of the football team, MVP of the baseball team and was awarded with the school’s Senior Athlete award. His father served as the school’s president at the time, so Dave had to balance sports, academics, and generally not getting into too much mischief (which may have been his greatest challenge). It was at MLS where he wooed the heart of his future wife of 58 years, Faye.

After high school, Dave attended Northwestern College in Watertown, Wisconsin – a school dedicated to preparing men for the Lutheran ministry. Below is an excerpt from his Senior Commencement Program:

“Dave is Northwestern’s own Jack-of-all-trades. During his four years as full back and ‘defensive demon’, Dave gave the football team enough power running to win two conference championships and to attract pro interest (San Diego Chargers) to himself. He also played varsity basketball and baseball whenever scholastic hot water, carp fishing, the city leagues, good times, and economic conditions permitted. He also made quite an impression in the classroom, although usually for non-academic reasons…Northwestern’s gift to the free-market enterprise system kept the money rolling in with jobs as fertilizer expert, short order cook, vacuum cleaner salesman, and self-employed Huxter. …With the amount of stuff Dave pulled, only his indefinable personality with a strong assist from his bulk got him through four years at Northwestern alive.”

After graduating from Northwestern in 1966, Dave and Faye were married in August and moved to Arizona to begin their first job together as Lutheran teachers, educating and ministering to the Apache on the White River Mountain Reservation. It was there they became enamored with the Western climate and culture and began their family. In 1970, the family moved to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where Dave taught high school algebra and coached football and basketball at Winnebago Lutheran Academy. Dave made the most of his summer vacations by attending Saint Louis University, where he earned a Master of Science degree in mathematics in 1973.

In 1975, the family moved back to Saginaw, Michigan, to be closer to family, where Dave served as a math professor at his high school alma mater. During his time there, he also coached football and basketball. After teaching for four years, Dave’s strong entrepreneurial spirit led him to a new path. Recognizing the potential of the early Personal Computer (PC) revolution, he taught himself to write code and eventually co-founded his own business, Computer Management Technologies (CMT). Working long hours, often seven days a week, Dave and his partner built CMT into a successful company customizing software to help large school systems manage attendance, grade reporting, and general IT needs. By the time Dave retired in 2001, CMT was serving school systems across multiple states and employed over 30 people.

Shortly after retiring, Dave and Faye became “snowbirds”, purchasing their first home in Sun City West, Arizona in 2003 before permanently relocating there in 2008. Never one to be idle, Dave thrived in Sun City West, indulging in many recreational passions, including softball, tennis, golf, and metalworking, among others. These activities allowed him to maintain his innate competitive spirit, but he most cherished the team camaraderie and the strong friendships he and Faye developed with their contemporaries from around the United States & Canada.

Dave was deeply driven by his faith and family. He was always committed to being active in his church, serving over the years as an usher, deacon, and trustee. Additionally, he served as a board member for both the Wisconsin Lutheran Synod and Martin Luther College. His faith was central to his life, guiding his philosophy of dedication and service to others. Dave also devoted countless hours and much love to various community service efforts.

Above all, perhaps Dave’s greatest passion was striving for the title of the world’s greatest grandpa. His twelve grandchildren and one great-grandchild will most miss his playful nature, sense of humor, and his love and affection. Dave was truly in his element when spending time with his grandchildren and cherished every moment with them. Whether it was fishing, boating, attending sporting events, celebrating graduations, going on vacations, or hosting “Christmas Games” and “Toepel Olympics”’ grandpa was always there to offer encouragement, support, and generally make life a lot more fun! There wasn’t a Toepel grandchild who didn’t find themselves perched on a fridge, roof, or other structure, encouraged to jump down to Grandpa Dave (and by the way, his safety record was nearly flawless).

We will deeply miss this amazing man, but he has left behind a remarkable legacy. Dave is survived by his wife, Faye; 4 children - David (Linea)Toepel, Jr., Michelle (Philip) Cole, Rachel (Corey) Mayeda and Rebecca (Bradley) Chambers; 12 grandchildren- Elise, Benjamin and David Kevin Toepel; Kaitlyn, Laura (Zachary) Bloomquist, Aubrey (Reagan) Moore; Ethan, Abigail, and Hannah Mayeda; Broderick, Emmett, and Wyatt Chambers; 1 great-grandchild, Brooks Bloomquist; 4 siblings- Sandra Heyn, Marla (Royal) Uhlenbrauck, Marcia (David) Fuhrhop, and Mark (Pam) Toepel; his brothers-in-law, James (Sue Ann) Fahnenstiel and Gary (Holli) Fahnenstiel; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, Martin & Mabel, Dave was preceded in death by his parent-in-laws, Albert & Adeline Fahnenstiel; a sister-in-law, Jaqueline Fahnenstiel and brother-in-law, David Heyn.

We will never forget him and are confident in our faith, as he was, that we will see him again.

SERVICE: A Christian memorial service will be held on 12/21/2024 at 11am at Crown of Life Lutheran church located at 13131 W Spanish Garden Dr, Sun City West, AZ 85375. The service will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/live/4qfC_N0CyOw. A luncheon will be held following the service, and all are invited to join us.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation in Dave’s memory to Crown of Life Lutheran church, The MLS Foundation, or Valley View Community Food Bank.

https://caminodelsolobits.tributecenteronline.com/obituaries/David-Martin-Toepel-Sr?obId=34129484&source=EmSh&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3-Mhv_MhTS68e