Memories of Dave Dunphy

In memory of

Dave Dunphy

Walla Walla

February 28, 1955 - May 5, 2019

Feb 28, 1955 - May 5, 2019

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Jenny Young

Dave was my manager at Nationwide and the best boss that I have had because he always had my back! It is so sad when I drive pass his old house in Pickerington on my way home each day. Thinking of the Dunphy family during this difficult time.

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Karl Lopez

Thinking back on our early UCLA and Marine Corps days, I recall I met Dave in September 1973, as we were 2 of the 5 "Marine Option" freshmen (UCLA midshipmen to be commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, USMC after graduation). We hit it off right away as he too was a wise-cracking student, with both of us always wondering if we were going to see Vietnam before graduating with a commission. The 5 "M.O.'s" all made a pact to survive our boss Major Hendricks (and later Major Goody) and our tough Gunny Secrest, for whom we had great respect. Dave and his infectious personality managed to make an impact everywhere he went. So after his freshman residence in Rieber Hall dormitory, Dave was excited to join the newest fraternity on campus, Sigma Pi, and really enjoyed frat life with other "mid's" and civilian students. Upon commissioning and graduation, Dave and I, along with underclassman Mike Wienandt, took a week and drove from UCLA to Virginia in my small clown car, a VW Scirocco, laughing pretty much the whole way, feet sticking out the window. Once, it was Dave's turn to drive and he got caught in a speed trap right after crossing the Arizona state line and of course his smooth-talking way got him only a warning. For our first six-month school in the Corps, Dave lived just down the hall (with Joe Dunford in his squad; quite a hilarious pair they were!) and was assigned to Captain May, a scrawny marathoner who never let his lieutenants walk anywhere; Dave couldn't believe his "luck". After that eternity we were roommates for awhile in flight school and with our buds Frank and Jack exercised and watched many Mork & Mindy episodes while cooking toaster oven-baked potatoes and Weber-grilled meats. And we managed to fly a little bit too. Those years were some good living, made all the more enjoyable with Dave's awesome sense of humor, his keen ability to call me out for any lack of effort, and of course his enviable passion for living. As he often said, he was "high on life". Dave Dunphy helped me keep my feet on the ground and head in the clouds and along with his knowing wink and smile will always be in my heart.
Semper Fi, Dunph!

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Karl Lopez

1973, UCLA Drill Team, 1973-74

Dave is back row, center photo.

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Karl Lopez

1974, UCLA Drill Team, 1974-75

Dave is far left (back row), the 3rd Squad Leader.

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Karl Lopez

Dave commanded the Drill Team his senior year at UCLA and did an exemplary job! Dave commanded the Drill Team his senior year at UCLA and did an exemplary job! Dave commanded the Drill Team his senior year at UCLA... Read more

Preston Dunphy

2001, Imperial Beach, CA, USA

David's Side of the Family

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Preston Dunphy

Our last family reunion with our parents who were quite glad we all made it since normally we were scattered... Read more Our last family reunion with our parents who were quite glad we all made it since normally we were scattered all over the UDA,... Read more Our last family reunion with our parents who were quite... Read more

Jeff Turner

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Jeff Turner

Dave was a friend who will be greatly missed. He went way too soon. Heart felt sympathy for his family. Dave was a friend who will be greatly missed. He went way too soon. Heart felt sympathy for his family. Dave was a friend who will be greatly missed. He went... Read more

Stephen Poppe

1976, Alexandria VA returning from Quantico VA

UCLA NROTC (Marine Options) OCS Grads AUG 1976

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Sharlene(Charlie) Bergonia Stroud

Wow, what a great group of guys❤️ Wow, what a great group of guys❤️ Wow, what a great group of guys❤️

Vicki Pasek

I knew Dave at UCLA, I was one of the Anchors (official hostesses) attached to the unit. OMG I recognize ... Read more I knew Dave at UCLA, I was one of the Anchors (official hostesses) attached to the unit. OMG I recognize every one of those baby... Read more I knew Dave at UCLA, I was one of the Anchors (official... Read more

Preston Dunphy

Ft Stewart, GA, USA

James D. Dunphy USA Graduation

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Preston Dunphy

One of rare times that I saw David's family all at once was at James Jr. USA graduation . All of David's ... Read more One of rare times that I saw David's family all at once was at James Jr. USA graduation . All of David's family as well as I were... Read more One of rare times that I saw David's family all at ... Read more

Preston Dunphy

In Memorial,

David was always there. A built-in friend, peer, competitor, and a brother. We played, argued and at time fought as brothers do. Sharing numerous experiences, assumptions, and viewpoints in many areas we differed significantly on how we saw and interpreted them, sometimes with life changing differences. Although I won the first fight to leave the shared womb, I lost most of them throughout our childhood as David was bigger, taller, and had a longer reach. However, he could never overcome the fact I was the older.

David was a better student despite nearly identical SAT & ACT scores because he applied himself during High School when I did not. Thus, David went to UCLA on a Naval Reserve Officer Scholarship at UCLA while I went to boot camp at MCRD- San Diego to earn the G.I. Bill to pay for my college education. Taunted that he was not tough enough to be a Marine, David went Marine Option and became a 2nd Lt in USMC while I was midway through college; I had followed him by attending /graduating from UCLA several years later taking my own commission as a 2nd Lt. Latter, we both went on and got our MBAs but at separate and unrelated universities.

As a USMC regular officer, David ended up in the Communications where he served in a number of significant assignments both in personal and professional terms. While the Officer in Charge of the USMC Enlisted Communications School at 29 Palms, David meet and marriage Stephanie Wilber (A retired Sgt. Major daughter). Although, David spent 20 years as a Marine Officer, and I over a 34 years period we never served together. Once however when we were both lieutenants, he got paid for me. Sometimes people thought we were pulling their leg later when Major Dunphy called up and asked for Major Dunphy as we sounded to some alike. David and I had very separate careers as he was a Regular (full time professional officer) while I have a split Regular /Reserve career.

Once David and Stephanie’s were married and with the start of his family life, his family and his career rightly became the focus of his life. Thus, David and I only saw each other infrequently. I visited David when started his civilian career at Nationwide in Portland, Oregon, He and his family visited me and our Aunt Rose in Elizabeth City when the children were pre-teen, and later I visited when David was at Nationwide in Columbus, OH. After that we saw each other mainly at the several tri-annual family reunions when we were doing those. However, David and I did maintain regular phone conversations in the last decade, especially after his development and treatment for blood cancer in 2014/2015 and Nationwide retirement.

After David and Stephanie moved to Walla Walla, David and I had a weekly “Comm Window” we visited in. David, liked retirement, and was proud of the life he and Stephanie had made in their community and of both of their children academic and employment accomplishments. During 2018 when David visited me for 10 days, we talked about me visiting out in Washington in 2021/2022 but nothing was decided of fixed, we thought we had plenty of time. God, decided otherwise and we didn’t.
It going to take a lot of adjustment, but David is not there anymore.

His fraternal twin brother;
Preston E. Dunphy
Col. (Ret.) USMC

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Chris Meeks

My deepest sympathy on the lose of your beloved father, husband, and friend. I very much enjoyed working with Dave during my 10 years at Nationwide. He was an inspiration and excellent leader. May his memory be for a blessing.

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Abhay Joshi

Dave was a great mentor and friend for many years. I appreciated his willingness to share his wealth of knowledge and perspective. He was always approachable and generous with his time. He always had a smile and a great attitude that came through in the toughest of situations. My heartfelt condolences to the family for their loss.

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Theresa Richardson

So deeply sorry for your loss. Dave's passing seems much to soon. His energy and commitment to Habitat will be missed and leaves a void in his work. Thank you for sharing him with us. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

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Renee Harms

What a loss this is, and much too soon.

Dave was one reason for my return to the Operations Committee for Habitat for Humanity in Walla Walla--because I trusted his dedication and hard work, as well as his knack for enjoying himself at the same time. Dave and I shared great banter in our meetings--I always knew he could take as good as he gave. :)

I am so glad to have known Dave, and so grateful for his commitment to the good work of Habitat. A good man with a good heart.

My thoughts and prayers are constant for you, his family.

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Theresa Richardson

Srini Koushik

Dave was one of the best coworkers I have ever had. His integrity and hard work set a great example for all of us. He was a role model, problem solver and someone who always had a positive attitude. I am deeply saddened by his passing. May his soul Rest In Peace.

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Marcia Lau-Jones

My most heartfelt condolences about Dave. He was the best boss at Nationwide and I will always remember the outings at your home. So glad you had the last three years together.

Marcia Lau-Jones

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JP Byrne

I worked alongside Dave for 4 years as fellow project-manager coaches... like Danny Glover and Mel Gibson (sort of). Dave had a wealth of leadership wisdom, garnered from battlefields, data closets, and conference rooms all over the world. His pungent sense of humor was always guaranteed to lighten the heaviest of moods and situations. Most of all, Dave had a giant heart. I witnessed his tough-love coaching and mentoring in action on a daily basis, always delivering the messages people needed to hear, with an emphasis on doing the right thing. He was a man of action, and a man of service, and the world is better for his being in it. Thanks Dave!

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Chuck Swafford

So sorry to hear the news of Dave's passing, our deepest sympathies and prayers are with the Dunphy family.

I was privileged to have worked with and for Dave at Nationwide, and I am a better person as a result. Dave touched the lives of many at Nationwide, and indeed - we will miss his humor!

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Gordon Withrow

I will always remember Dave as a man's man, and as someone who was industrious, artistic, and caring. It was my great fortune to have shared time with Dave and to have benefited from his wisdom. I remember his stained glass work, bulbs/gardening expertise, and solid accountability in his work. When I was in a band that performed at the Pickerington Violet festival one year, I didn't tell many people, but I did share it with Dave. And from the stage I saw him there cheering us on in our little warm-up set before the stars came out. He was a valued colleague. Stephanie, Allison and James, he loved you very much.

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Randy Luikart

I had the pleasure of working with Dave in the early 2000's when we were standing up a new team of project managers at Nationwide. I loved Dave's energy, integrity and "let's get it done" attitude. He was always a joy to work with and I'll miss him.

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Christofer Hartman

My sincerest condolences to Stephanie, Allison & Family. Dave was wonderful manager & friend. He will be missed by many. May you find peace and feel the love of all those who cherished Dave.

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Christofer Hartman

2012, Columbus, OH, USA

Dave at one of our Team Off-Sites

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Comments:

Christofer Hartman

Dave was one of the two folks that interviewed me for a PM Role at Nationwide. He worked tirelessly for ... Read more Dave was one of the two folks that interviewed me for a PM Role at Nationwide. He worked tirelessly for almost two months to ... Read more Dave was one of the two folks that interviewed me for... Read more

Elizabeth Hoover

Oh this makes me so sad. I worked off and on with Dave for many years at Nationwide. He had such a great sense of humor. May his family find peace during this difficult time.

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Nick Johnson

I think I met Dave in prep of a work trip for a new acquisition that Nationwide made. We made a trip out to the location for a full say of meetings and then flew back on Valentines day. Most everyone had done something to make arrangements for flowers or something to be sent to their spouses since we weren't getting home until later that evening. From there, I spent many different projects working with Dave and sharing stories of all the things we did in through the military as I am a USAF veteran. I listened to what he did as hobbies and just what an awesome guy he was all around. I was sad to see him retire from NW but happy he was able to go take time for himself.
Upon hearing of his passing, I had tears in my eyes knowing such a great person had left this world but felt good knowing he did what he could to make it a better place.

My condolences to the Dunphy family.

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Alison Kirby MD

Thinking of you, Stephanie and family. I can't even imagine the hole that this leaves in your lives.
Dave was in my Master Gardener class of 2017. He used to crack up the class with his one-liners. Dave was generous with his time, and enthusiastic about gardening--especially Japanese maples! I will miss him.
Kind regards, Alison Kirby MD

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Carrie Ryan

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Alice Merrill

Oh, Stephanie, I just learned of this. I remember meeting Dave with you and my sister at PF Chang's a few... Read more Oh, Stephanie, I just learned of this. I remember meeting Dave with you and my sister at PF Chang's a few years ago, so interested... Read more Oh, Stephanie, I just learned of this. I remember ... Read more