David Shabal

On Monday, January 25, 2021, David George Shabal, loving son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather, passed away at the age of 74 from complications due to COVID-19.

David was born on July 17, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan, the first of four children born to George and Marcella (Takkinen) Shabal. He was the first in his family to graduate college (1967), receiving a B.S. in Business Administration from Northern Michigan University.

David joined the US Army National Guard in 1967 and served his country proudly in that capacity until he was discharged in 1976. In 1974, he was hired by Sperry Univac, an event that led to a long and distinguished career in the emerging technology industry. A gifted computer systems architect, over the course of his career, David led innovative projects at a number of high-profile companies. To stay active after retirement, David went back to work at Vanderbilt University Medical Center's Transportation Department. During his ten-year tenure there, David received several commendations for having gone above and beyond the call of duty to help save the lives of patients in distress.

David married his best friend and the love of his life, Constance "Denah" Joan Lord, on June 7, 1975. He knew she was the one for him after having seen a photograph of her; he carried that picture with him (and proudly showed it off until his death. In their 45 years of marriage they raised two children, lived in 6 states, practically invented "glamping," owned a succession of lovable but ill-trained pets, ate thousands of bowls of lihamojakka, and, through thick and thin, continued to dance that iconic 70s dance "The Bump," even with Dave's bad hip.

David is survived by his wife Denah, his children Shannon (Michael Logan) and Michael (Kimberly Kirby), grandchildren Jack and Emma Logan, brothers Michael and Patrick Shabal and sister Renee Bergsma. David, who was known to friends and family as Weasel or Weez, was most happy when he was on the beach, drinking a beer and eating oysters. His family imagines he is doing just that, waiting for the day they join him. David's final wishes were to not have a funeral service after his passing. His family is honoring his request. In lieu of sending flowers, Dave would encourage you to instead take a friend or loved one out for a pint or a nice meal (preferably Italian, and he would suggest the Veal Marsala), or to donate to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, to support the work that the remarkable health professionals there are doing to improve the lives of children.