David J. Sobczak

David J. Sobczak: Loving and beloved husband of Debra Sobczak, still the one after 43 years and eternally. Loving dad and biggest fan of Elizabeth Moore (Sobczak). Holding her to his heart for the first time as a new dad, he said, "This is what I always dreamed of," and he shared her happiness as he walked her down an aisle on the beach to give her heart in marriage to Travis Moore. Loving, proud, and enthusiastic grandpa of Elliott and Makenna (remember the fun!). Loving brother of Joan Sobczak (yessireebob). Surely welcomed to eternal life by his brothers, Raymond, Jr., and A.J., and parents Raymond, Sr., and Rosemary. As a loyal and grateful friend, Dave cherished long-term friendships that blessed his life through thick and thin.

As a tri-sport varsity athlete, Dave pursued and achieved excellence in golf, basketball, and track. As captain, he led the Greendale High School golf team to a WIAA state championship. He broke the G.H.S. record in high jump and broke the backboard in a dunk during warm-ups at basketball sectionals his senior year. His longjump feats earned him the nickname "Birdman" as he soared before landing in the sand. While still in high school, his part-time newspaper reporting earned him a place among the top ten professional sports journalists in Wisconsin. He did straps as Liz's partner on the Waterbugs water-ski show team. On the links at Tuckaway, he made a hole-in-one, won father-daughter championships with Liz, and won the individual club championship. He coached track at Muskego High School and golf at Waterford, for love of the sports and encouraging young people to develop their own abilities.

Dave graduated at the top of his class in the School of Business at UW-Oshkosh, earning his bachelor of science degree in accounting in just two and a half years, followed by an M.B.A. from Marquette University. Recruited by one of the top public accounting firms in the country, Dave found an apartment in Houston, came back to Wisconsin to get married among family and friends, and then headed back to Texas in a Malibu with his beautiful bride and loyal cat to begin their life together. He switched to corporate accounting and worked for the rest of his career as head of internal audit at Johnson Controls worldwide.

Dave loved dogs, watching sunsets over the ocean with Debbie on Marco Island, and singing. He composed a couple of songs and poetry. As a youthful collector of sports cards, he had his heroes. As an adult collector of Coca-Cola and some eclectic memorabilia, Dave enjoyed touching the past while making every minute of the present count.

He drove his first car, a Mustang Mach I, up and down the driveway in the days before he got his driver's license at 16. A couple of years later, he repainted the former family car, a '67 Chevy, metallic black, and emblazoned the sides with "Birdman" in 8-inch letters. He drove three more Pony cars and a Viper over the years. When their grandkids came into the world, he jumped in the car and eagerly drove with Debbie to meet them.

In loving memory of Dave, please hug someone you love.

Friends and family will gather on October 9 at St. Alphonsus Parish, 6060 W. Loomis Road, Greendale, Wisconsin, for visitation from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., Catholic Mass at 11:00 a.m., and refreshments and visitation afterward.