At shortly before 4:00 am, Saturday morning, January 12, the Good Lord gently welcomed Dave Altman into his arms.
Dave passed peacefully with his wife Marla, his children Tina, Debbie, and Steven, and several other family members at his side.
David J Altmanshofer was born November 16, 1941 in Columbus Nebraska. There he attended St. Bonaventure Catholic School. In June, 1961, he married his high-school sweetheart Marla and after a short time in Lincoln, Nebraska moved to Southern California in 1966.
Dave was preceded in death by his daughter Cheryl, his father Gary, and his mother Lillian.
Dave is survived by his wife Marla, his daughters Tina and Debbie, his son Steven, nine grandchildren, one great-grandchild, six sisters, and a brother.
For his family, the lights on earth became a bit dimmer, but the stars in the sky have never shined brighter. The prayers and kind wishes of everyone made Dave’s final days with us filled with great peace. Those prayers are also giving those of us who survived Dave the strength, courage, and tranquility to continue.
Details on final arrangements will be posted here in the next few days.
There are no words to express the sorrow or gratitude I feel. Thank you.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
36 comments:
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Our prayers go out to Dave and his family during their time of grief. He is in a better place.
Leo & Lorraine Hanus - Past State Deputy, Texas Knights of Columbus
Dear Marla and Joe and family,
I am so incredibly sorry for your loss, mere words are not enough.
May God bless you with strength and peace during this time in your lives. May he hold you in his arms and comfort you as you weep.
Much love,
Christine
Dear Marla, Tina, Debbie, Steven, Joe and family
Our deepest sympathy for your loss
Our love and thoughts are with you
Luky & Tony Wilson & family
Melbourne, Australia
To the entire Altman family,
Words are never adequate. I'm so deeply sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Brad Colman
DEAR MARLA, TINA, DEBBIE, STEVEN, JOE aND FAMILY,
MY HEART IS BREAKING FOR ALL OF YOU.
DAVE IS NOW AT PEACE. MY PRAYERS ARE NOW FOR ALL OF YOU TO FIND COMFORT AND STRENGTH THROUGH GOD AND THOSE OF US THAT LOVED DAVE
ALSO.
DENNIS AND I ARE HERE FOR ANYTHING THAT YOU NEED
ALL OUR LOVE
DENNIS AND SANDY
Marla, Tina, Debbie, Steven, Joe and family--
The world lost a good friend today, but Heaven has gained a new amgel. We love you, Dave.
Jim and Dusty
Dear , dear Altman clan...Dave is so proud of all of you I know, I know it because so many times, he said it ! But I know it now because of the way you have all been so sweet and kind to all of those not so 'blessed' to have been actually born in to the clan...although you all make us feel as we had been and I thank you for that. You will continue to be in my prayers and thoughts, heart and dreams....I don't think I have ever dreamt so many dreams as I have lately, that are about a particular family (except my own I suppose)...just wanting to be by your sides all the time now I guess and the dreams did that for me...I will see you soon, and soon , before we know it we will all be together for eternity with our beloved, dear,sweet & kind friend, Davie Altman, king of the big RV's . May the Lord hold all of you up in the days to come...love 'Lorikins'
Dear Marla and the entire Altman family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathy goes out to you. God works in mysterious ways and he is now resting in peace with Him.
We will keep Dave and your whole family in our thoughts and prayers.
I've wanted to share the following with you. I hope it will serve to help you through this time of great loss. We will all miss Dave, his tremendous spirit, generosity and loving ways!
“Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
I am I, and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other, that we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name, speak
to me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no difference in your tone,
wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at
the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was, let it be spoken without effect,
without the trace of a shadow.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval,
somewhere very near, just around the corner.
All is well.”
Henry Scott Holland 1847 - 1918
Canon of St. Pauls Cathedral
With love and prayers,
Marty & Joanna O'Toole
Dear Marla and family,
I spoke with Bonnie yesterday and I knew that you would not have much longer with Dave. We thought of you several times during the day yesterday and offered up a quick prayer. As we said, what a blessing it was that Dave was able to say good-bye to the people he loved. It seems that it happened just as Dave would have wanted. Now he is at peace and being welcomed home. Our hearts go out to you and you will be in our thoughts and prayers. What a wonderful man; what a wonderful life!!
Love,
Marty and Kathy
Dear Marla, Joe, family and friends...to all who knew and loved Dave,
At his calling, Dave stepped through the door on earth, seemingly leaving us...and strode right though the gate to heaven with welcoming applause. He was a remarkable man here...and now he will be even more remarkable above, and yet still we will always feel his presence. He will be the brightest star, the shine from the moon on a moon-lit night, the warmth of the sun on our faces, the gentle fragrant breezes that fill our senses in springtime and the hug we feel when no one else is in the room with us. He will always be in our hearts...and ours in his.
My life has been and will always be brighter...because I knew Dave...a truly remarkable man.
With respect and love,
Ann
Dear Marla, Tina, Debbie, Steve, Joe, and family,
Our deepest sympathy goes out to all of you.
Kevin and I both are greatful we each knew Dave. We both Loved him and were lucky enough to tell him before he passed.
Our prayers go out to you.
With much love,
Shana and Kevin McDoanld
Altmanshofer Family,
Thank you for sharing your final days with Dave with us. I cannot express what a difference this has made for me.
I still cannot accept that Dave will not be showing up to the office on Monday, or calling for a progress report, but the solace and comfort he offered to so many of us in his last days has left me with a lasting feeling of peace.
I am truly sorry for your loss. Dave is such a great man and there will always be a void left in the lives and hearts of anyone who knew him.
Dear Marla & all the family, our hearts are breaking this morning. Knowing that Dave is now with God, free of his earthly pain brings comfort but still so much sadness. Our prayers are with you all. Along with Brian, we had a special visit with Dave on Monday. His smile, a few whispered words of thanks for our being there, holding hands..precious moments that will stay with us forever.
More so are all the wonderful times spent together...the laughter, the meals shared, golf outings, the roadtrips to find more "eye candy" for Dave to snap a picture. Times to treasure.
"And God will take you up
on Eagle's wing,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His hand.
Love to you all, Nancy & Jim Kyle
Dear Marla and family,
I know the tremendous loss you are feeling but also the relief that Dave’s pain is gone. I too feel a loss but I will continue to do my best to, as Danelle said, keep Dave’s legacy going at Altmans Winnebago. I feel privileged to have known Dave and work with him in the company he and you built. May God be with you and your family through this difficult time.
Dearest Dave,
Thank you for your sweet kind words on Sunday. You made me feel at peace with your sickness and your road to your final day with us. You were so gracious and loving. I feel I will be a better person having known you. With all my heart, Love Michelle
To all the Altmans:
Mark Twain, like Dave, had a way with words! Mark Twain once said, "Let us endeavor to live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." I believe this to be true about Dave.
I am so very sorry and so very sad today. I am trying to concentrate on the fact that he is not suffering and is with God and his daughter. Words and Kleenex, there's never enough.
Kelly Adams
We are so sorry about your loss of an incredible, wonderful man. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
God Bless
Dan & Debbie Rudd
& family
DEAR ALTMANS FAMILY,
I AM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. WE KNOW DAVE IS IN A BETTER PLACE WITH NO PAIN AND SUFFERING. THOUGH HE LEFT BEHIND SO MUCH FAMILY AND FRIENDS EACH ONE OF US CARRY SOME PART OF DAVE THAT WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER. I AM VERY HONORED TO HAVE KNOW DAVE HE WAS A CARING PERSON THAT WAS ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP ANYONE OUT. I WILL MISS YOU DAVE THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A PIECE OF YOU WITH ME. DAVE WILL FOREVER BE OUR GUARDIAN ANGEL WATCHING OVER US!
WITH LOTS OF LOVE AND PRAYERS
RUBY SANTOS
To the Altman Family,
Our deepest sympathy to all. We knew Dave in a very short time but have fond memories of him and Marla welcoming us to Legatus (he was in the membership committee when we came in). May he rest in peace. God bless you and hold you all in the palm of His hand as you go through this most difficult time.
With love and prayers,
Emma & Jim Stewart
TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE ALTMAN FAMILY
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU IN THIS TIME. WE WILL ALWAYS REMEBER HIM AND HIS KIND NATURE
MAY GOD ALWAYS BLESS YOUR FAMILY
TIM VAN BUHLER
Dear Dave, Marla and Family,
Dave, we know you will still be reading your postings, as you are still with us, but viewing life at God's side. You are a man of great character, integrity whose example is one we aspire to be like. Your priorties of God and Family are admired and respected by all who were blessed by having you in our lives. Marla and family, we extend deepest sorrow. With much love, Tim and Cathy ONeil
Dear Marla and Joe and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss.Today is a sad day for you and all of us aswell. Dave is now at peace with no more pain and walking with the Lord. I am so proud to be a part of your "Altmans Family Place" This is by far the best place I have ever worked. Dave was the best Leader a person could ever ask for.
You are all in my Thoughts and Prayers.
With Love,
Sandra Ewing
Dear Mrs.Marla and Family
We feel terribly sorry for the loss of Mr.Dave but we know that he is in the hands of God and that he is in heaven, May God bless you and your family.
Sonia and Family and Enrique
Dear Marla, Joe, Danelle, Mary Lou, Steven, and the rest of Altman's Family,
My deepest sympathy and prayers are with you in this time of mourning. We know that Dave is in complete peace, painless and are in the presence of our Lord. Let's celebrate Dave's life and cherish all the memories of Dave and how he made an "increditble" impact and positively touched so many lives with his time on earth.
May God continue to bless you with His strength, comfort and peace in the days to come.
Dave's Favorite Banker, Mylene
Marla,
As I sat down at the computer to express my sorrow I couldn't help but think of what a great guy God now has in heaven. Dave was always one of my favorite customers, became one of my favorite golf partners,favorite gin partners, and opponents, the best employer,but most of all the greatest friend a person could ever have. Dave always said he wanted to leave this world a better place because he had been in it and he surely has done that.
Everyone that has ever known him can testify to that.
God bless you and the entire Altman Family.
Love Arden and JoAnn
Hello!
Mr.dave my normal greeting to Dave,
Marla, Steven, Tina and Debbie together we have spent exactly 41 days 3hrs and 15mins, seen 4 hospitals, friends galore and all your families and employees since Thanksgiving morning. What a popular person Mr. Dave is. He will be the same in heaven and leading the angeles.
Dave and I have always said 'we trust and we believe' keep saying this and all will be right.
As always my prayers will be with you all.
Alofa
Lani 'Lillian'
TO THE ENTIRE ALTMAN FAMILY,
PLEASE KNOW THAT WE COULD HAVE NOT ASK FOR A BETTER MAN TO GRACE US WITH HIS PRESENCE, DAVE WAS A ROLE MODEL FOR A LOT OF US. HE IS AT PEACE NOW. I WILL NEVER FORGET THE IMPACT THAT DAVE HAD ON ME AS A EMPLOYEE.
MAY GOD ALWAYS BLESS THIS FAMILY
ARE THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU
PATTY LACY
To the Altmans Family,
My deepest sympathy for your loss.
I am a better person for having known Dave and worked for Dave as so many people agree. I am thankful I was able to visit Dave this week. His kind words will stay with me forever. Thank you for sharing Dave with all of us.
My love and thoughts are with all of you.
Mike Burke
Dearest Marla & the entire family too;
We are at such a loss of words and feelings to express. Nothing we can write or express here can begin to compare with the loss of Dave in your daily lives.
However, I am blessed to have been guided by one of the finest "Christian businessmen" and "family businessman" I have known. "Keep in the family business" Dave once told me, across the table over a glass of wine at the club, they will always have your best interest at heart. He's right, they did and do! I will be eternally grateful for the example Dave and you, Marla, set for those involved in a family business...Thank you! I will miss the "Dorito" greetings at a VVCC, but know that Dave's spirit will linger there and in our hearts always.
We will be praying for your hearts healing in the days & years ahead.
With admiration and Lots of Love, Dori Christman Lewis & Bob Smith
Marla, Tina, Debbie and Steve, Joe and the whole Altman family:
God is good. The pain Dave felt with his ravaged body is all gone now and his joy is complete with God in Heaven. He is reunited with his daughter, Sherry and his Mom and Dad for all eternity and is waiting for the rest of you to join him someday. We, who are left behind, feel sorrow because the man we respected and loved is gone, but be ever mindful that is only from sight. Whenever you need him, talk to him, he may not answer, but just talking to him will make you feel better. May he rest in peace now and may your many memories sustain all of you. He will be remembered for a long time to come. Thank you, Joe, for allowing us to follow his path to our God. It has been awesome. Love, Barb and DeWayne
Dearest Marla:
We are deeply saddened by Dave's untimely passing. Dave was truly a legend in the eyes of our industry. We are reminded of a passage by Robert Louis Stevenson that could speak of Dave's life.
"That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who leaves the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem or a rescued soul; who never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it; who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had."
Fondly,
Newt and Joanne Kindlund
Gryon, Switzerland
Dave is in the grace of God. I am so lucky to have been a part of his dash and have him in mine.
The Altman's are in our prayers always.
Dave and Rita Chester
As we say goodbye to a wonderful man, we extend our condolences to the Altman families on this great loss.
Joe's kindness in providing this Blog, knowing that he was losing his brother, was a true act of compassion and has allowed us into your private lives from distant states and foreign countries.
The Blogs also show the love, compassion, respect, and friendship that Dave shared with everyone he met, friend or foe. I recently lost our 82 year old warehouse manager, who - like Dave - worked to within two months of his passing. I had the honor of delivering the eulogy and found this quotation to have special meaning for his life's work and I'd like to dedicate it to Dave also. Although I was not a close friend of Dave, I've come to know him better through all of the Blog participants and I think it certainly applies to Dave:
"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal."
Albert Pike
If we all share what we have learned from Dave with others, it will be our way of thanking him for what he has meant in this life, and allow us to join him in heaven someday.
Good bye Dave, God Bless You
Dearest Marla and Family:
It has taken us a while to write a comment...we were so loss for words, but
All we can say is thank you and you family for letting us be a part of your family. We are at much peace after are visit with Dave and your family last week. We know that our lives are a much better place just knowing Dave and his kind Loving heart, we love him and what he did for us. He will truly be missed in our hearts as well as yours, but he will always be with us. Our love to all the Altmans, and remember...to love and loss but remember...love is the greatest gift of all, always know he will always be with us...and the Sunday prayer at the RV show will never be the same....we Love you Dave you will never be forgotten.....Our love always and our heart to the Altman Family. Love,Buddy & Terry
Mara and Family~
It is with a heavy heart I extend my sympathy to you and your family. Dave was a mentor and a personal friend. Just a year ago the Altman family reached out to us when my son passed away. We now do the same and want you to know our arms are around you.
We used the following to remember Justin on Christmas Day, and it also seems fitting to Dave:
What is dying?
I am standing on the sea shore, a ship sails to the morning breeze and starts for the ocean.
He is an object of beauty and I stand watching him till he fades on the horizon, and someone says, 'he is gone.'
Gone where?
Gone from my sight, that is all; he is as real in his masts, hull and finely set sails as when I last saw him, and just as magnificent.
The diminished size and loss of sight is in me, not in him: and at the moment when the person at my side says, 'he is gone,' there are others who see him appear and their voices take up a glad shout, 'here he comes!'
...and that is dying.
God bless your family during these difficult days as you mourn your loss and hand Dave over to his eternal home.
Dan Pearson & Family
To The Entire Altman Family,
It has been extremely difficult to start this post...I want to express my sympathy, I need to release my sorrow and pain as I know everyone does, and yet I find it hard to put it all into words. Imagine that, from someone who has been writing video scripts, newletters, and speaches for the RV industry for so many years. I can tell you my script would start like this...Dave Altman, a GREAT, GREAT MAN! However, Dave exemplified the description of "The Altman Family". I have been truely blessed to able to experience the warmth, passion, and love that this family is founded on. I thank Dave, Joe and everyone for the time spent helping, educating, and enlightening me throughout my RV carrer, but more important for the friendship. Right now God's trying to figure out how Dave did that magic trick...and Dave's got that great big smile going!
God Bless my friend and favorite magician.
From your favorite comedian.
Dave Solberg
Joe, Marla & Family
I just heard the news and it really gave me an empty feeling inside. You don't realize how much you admire and care for someone until they are gone, But, after thinking about himn and the good times I had working for him, even so long ago, I began to smile.Then I remembered the wonderful relationship your family has shared. I realized then that he will never really be gone.
God bless you Joe and peaceful, joyful memories to Marla.
Love
Bob Ball
Post a Comment