David Walter Zeckser

Dave, 77, passed away on July 2, 2016, surrounded by family. They always admired how he never let his three-year battle with cancer diminish his positive attitude, his love of life, and his devotion to God. Dave was born on January 1, 1939, in El Dorado, Kansas, to Walter and Anne Zeckser. He applauds the merits of growing up in a small town, Holton, Kansas, because of the adventures and "shananigans" it provided. He remained in Kansas to attend Kansas State University where he received two degrees, a B.S. and a M.S. Skiing lured him to Colorado, so he moved in 1965, where he resided for the rest of his life. Once in Colorado, a colorful life ensued. He met his wife, Lan Harding, of Denver, through an interview for a teaching job. To this day, she still believes several of his questions were inappropriate, and by today's standards, probably illegal. However, the end result was that they were married on July 3, 1972. Very briefly, they lived in Evergreen, then moved to Boulder where they have lived for the last forty-three years. Always a champion of learning, Dave earned his EdD from the University of Colorado in 1979. His entire professional career was dedicated to education. Among the three districts in which he worked - Littleton, Boulder, and Aurora - he was a counselor, a middle school assistant principal, a junior high principal, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education, and Associate Superintendent. He cites that his favorite time in his thirty-six years of education was as principal of Casey Junior High in Boulder (1972-1981). He remembers the dedicated and energized staff who loved teaching and exploring exemplary programs for students. Everyone at Casey cared deeply about everyone else. And the students thought he was rather cool since he rode to work on a motorcycle. Upon his retirement in 2000, Dave and Lan traveled extensively, played even more golf, gardened, read, volunteered, and played with the grandchildren. Dave continually referred to his own life as being powerfully enriched by his close friendships, his faith community, and his strong family bond. Family and friends often refer to him as "a legend." Dave is survived by his wife Lan and their three children: Paul (Anne); Nonie Wilder (Tim); and Tim (Abby). His love for them is immeasurable; then, he found a even more profound definitionof love with the arrival of six grandchildren: Keegan, Austin, Olivia, Lily, Holland, and Cooper. A seventh is on the way, and he is convinced he'll have "the best seat in the house" for watching her grow up. He is also survived by a sister, Diane Dudley of Lincoln, NE (John and Jenny). To honor a well-lived and blessed life, a Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, July 8th, at 10:30 AM at Grace Lutheran Church (his church of 42 years), 1001 13th Street, Boulder, CO. Contributions can be made to Grace Lutheran Church Foundation, 1001 13th Street, Boulder, CO or Lutheran Family Services, 363 So. Harlan St. #200, Denver, CO 80226. Please share thoughts, memories and condolences at legacy.com/obituaries/dailycamera