David L Heath

David L. Heath - a one-in-a-million husband, teacher, musician, and coach - ran out of time to beat adrenal cancer on December 24, 2018. Born in Toledo in 1959 to Professor George and Dorothy Heath, David was surrounded by music from a young age, and music shaped his life. David graduated in 1977 from Robert S. Rogers High School, and in 1982 received his Bachelor of Music Education Magna Cum Laude from the University of Toledo. That same year, he married the woman who harmonized with his soul, Nancy. In 2003, David received his Master of Music in Music Education. He began his teaching career at Central Catholic High School, and after a year, joined Toledo Public Schools as a music teacher at Thomas A. DeVilbiss High School. David remained at DeVilbiss until the school closed in 1991, then returned to his alma mater, first as choir director, and then as band and orchestra director. He was also the varsity softball coach for many years. David’s tenure at Rogers was the soundtrack to many hundreds of students’ teenage years. He was beloved by his students, and he delighted in their growth as musicians, and as people. David retired in 2011, and music remained central to his life as he played in the Maumee Community Band and The Brevard Community Band. He also sang in the Teutonia Chor and the Glenwood Lutheran Church choir. David enjoyed playing and watching golf. In early April of 2016, he had the thrill of a lifetime by being able to attend the Masters Tournament in Augusta GA. with one of his best friends, Gary Wagner. The tickets were courtesy of Gary’s son-in-law, Anthony Martino, who also accompanied them. David also enjoyed playing softball. In 1989, years before coaching girls softball, he joined some Monroe MI teachers to play on a 35 and over league at Munson Park. The team was called the Red Noodles. When the Red Noodle bar closed in Monroe a few years ago, the team became the Red Noodle/VFW. He remained active with the team through this past summer. In mid-April 2016, he was diagnosed with stage four adrenal cancer - literally, a one-in-a-million diagnosis. David beat the odds for over two and half years through the heroic efforts of Dr. Al-Nsour, and the wonderful nurses of the St. Anne’s Cancer Center. David was preceded in death by his father, George. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; mother, Dorothy; brother, Daniel; sister, Jennifer; an aunt and uncle; cousins; nephew; mother-in-law; brother-in-law; nephew-in-law; and cousins-in-law. Visitation will be at Walter Funeral Home, 4653 Glendale Ave., from 2:00pm - 8:00pm on Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019. The Teutonia Chor will sing between 7:00pm - 7:30pm. Funeral services will be held at Glenwood Lutheran Church,2545 Monroe St. at 11:00am with visitation beginning at 10:00am on Thursday, January 3rd, 2019. Burial will be at Ottawa Hills Cemetery. David would like to salute his mentors: Ron Lang, the late Jay Spreng, Jamie Hafner, and Charlie Vernon. A special thanks to Joe Boyle for his assistance in writing this obituary. David and his family also greatly appreciate the wonderful care provided by the nurses, aides and staff of Hospice of Northwest Ohio. In lieu of flowers, David and Nancy would like you to do something special with that special someone. Dinner, a show or movie, whatever you like to do that you wouldn’t normally do. Have fun, enjoy, and maybe even raise a toast to David. The family requests any memorial contributions be made to the Glenwood Church organ fund, Glenwood Church, Hospice of Northwest Ohio, or a charity of your choice.