After graduating from Wellsville High School, David enlisted in the Navy and was trained to be an aviation electrician. Deployed to Newfoundland, he was attached to a squadron as a flight electrician that flew the DEW Line (Distant Early Warning Line). Here they monitored a series of radar stations across the arctic from Alaska through Canada over Greenland to Iceland.
Dresser-Rand hired David shortly after his discharge from the Navy where he got a job working as a sheet metal-smith, welder, layout person, and electrician. Over the years he specialized in the electrical field and repaired computer-controlled and conventional machines, oversaw the installation and repair of the computer network and phone systems, plus general maintenance of the facility. He retired in 2005, after 42 years of employment.
One of his favorite hobbies was woodworking. There wasn’t a project he wasn’t willing to tackle and was always making special gifts for those he loved or appreciated. He was a member of the Wellsville Rod and Gun Club and was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to ‘watch and learn’. He would tell his kids: “There is always something to be learned from each day if you just slow down and watch.” He could often be found in one of his favorite parking spots around town to see what gifts nature gave him that day.
David is survived by a daughter Lisa (Michael) Lindsay and a son, Daniel Cline; a brother, Dale Cline; granddaughters Amanda (Michael) Sandlin, Lauren and Megan Lindsay, Heather (Alex) Whitt; great-grandchildren Erin Tuttle and Elijah, Evangeline, and Anastasia Whitt; nieces Tracey Loughlin-Young, Heather Pettit; and nephew Jeff Cline. He is predeceased by his parents and a sister, Diana Sandle.
A private graveside service with military honors in Stannards Cemetery, is being planned for a later date.
A special thank you to Jeannie Mead for her kindness and conversation during her daily visits of Meals-on-Wheels; and to Sara and Donna with our local Hospice agency for their weekly visits and compassionate support during his final weeks. Memorial donations in David’s memory can be made to the Genesee River Wilds or the Wellsville Rod & Gun Club. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.