In loving memory of David Louis Bokan (1950–2024)

It is with great sadness that we announce David Bokan, 73, passed away in La Plata, Maryland on June 18th, 2024. He was a beloved son, husband, and father whose generosity, humor, and empathy for others knew no bounds. A three-time cancer survivor and cancer-free upon his passing, his cause of death was complications from past radiation treatment.

Born September 12th, 1950 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to Louis Bokan and Laura Getz Bokan, David attended Saucon Valley Senior High School, class of 1968, before earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Science & Marketing from Delaware Valley College, class of 1972, in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. While residing in many states throughout his life, he lived primarily in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida, Vermont, and Maryland with a fondness for the natural beauty of the Lehigh Valley and Green Mountains. For work, he found purpose helping farmers as a Financial Examiner with the Florida Department of Agriculture and loved supporting the family-run car dealership.

In 1982, David married the love of his life, Dianne Wenzel of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. During their 41-year marriage, they had two children, Megan and Matthew, two greyhounds, Hannah and Whitney, and two cats, Mia and Max. Fatherhood, it turned out, was David’s true calling, as he broke the stereotypes of his era with a true nurturing spirit that was effortlessly caring and endlessly supportive.

David’s favorite hobbies and passions included cars—he had over 40 throughout his life—and amateur radio, call signs include KE4FTY and K3DLB. He was also a gifted communicator, able to connect with anyone from all walks of life and even communicated via radio around the world and volunteered during natural disasters to aid in communication. He cared deeply for animals as well, particularly dogs, who loved him as much as he loved them.

David was preceded in death by his father Louis Bokan and mother Laura Bokan, and is survived by his wife, Dianne Janine Bokan; children Megan Helen Thomas (husband David Thomas) and Matthew David Bokan (wife Katherine “Katie” Bokan); grandchildren Laura Thomas and Audrey Thomas; brother Richard Bokan (wife Carol Bokan); nephews Richard “Ricky” Bokan II (wife Beth Bokan), Daniel Bokan (wife Sherry Senior), and Andrew Bokan (wife Mandy Bokan); and grandpup Phyllis Bokan.

Please join us for a memorial service and celebration of life gathering at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in La Plata, MD on Saturday, June 29th starting at 11am. Flowers may be sent to the church or a donation in his name may be made to the ASPCA.

David, everyone you touched with your kindness will carry you with them in their hearts.

May you rest in peace.

“Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.”― Henry David Thoreau, Walden

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