David Michael Bischoff

David Michael Bischoff lost his long enduring 20 year battle with Parkinson's disease on Sunday, July 20, 2014 at the age of 69. He is survived by his loving wife Kathy, devoted children Lucas Bischoff and Emily Mamone as well as his stepmother Ruth Bischoff and mother-in-law Edith Smith. David was born in Los Angeles, CA on July 3, 1945. While attending Buena High School in the small sea side community of Ventura, CA, David spent much of his time visiting his maternal grand parents on their family property in Santa Barbara county. It was here where he discovered and nurtured his love of nature while fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping. David serviced his country honorably in Vietnam from 1966 to 1969 in which time he rose to the rank of Sergeant and earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. After an honorable discharge, David's pursuit of education brought him to Ft. Collins, CO where he earned his Bachelor's of Science degree in 1972. After a short time working as a oil field roustabout throughout Alaska and Utah, David returned to Ft. Collins where he began his career as a histologist and pathology assistant at CSU, McKee and Presbyterian hospitals. It was in June of 1973 that David leaned over to his close friend and told him that the beautiful woman they had just seen would be his wife. On October 5, 1973, David kept his promise when he married Kathy Hodgson and went on to father and raise two beautiful children: Lucas and Emily. He was a devoted husband, father and pet owner. His loyal and faithful dogs Duke, Chelsey and Millie were his favorite companions as an avid outdoorsman. Throughout his years David was known for being a lover of life; he was the preverbial renaissance man. His almost insatiable thirst for knowledge and culture led him to become a classical guitarist, a motorcycle enthusiast, a classic cinema lover, a bibliophile and a theologian. Above all; however, David was an artist. He spent a great deal of his time creating art through a variety of mediums that evolved over time and in accordance with the progress of his illness. His gothic inspired expressionistic art included paintings, charcoal and pastel drawings. Ultimately, David relied on the power of the computer to create complex mixed media artistic works of art. Regretfully, David's biggest disappointment was not being more widely recognized as an artist and for his art in his lifetime. An anthology of just some of David's many great works of art has been created in an online gallery and can be appreciated here: http://dave-bischoff-expess.deviantart.com/ David was not a stranger to the adversity of illness and the strength required to overcome it. He was afflicted with a severe case of polio as a child, required a liver transplant in 1994 and, just one year later, was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease; an affliction he fought courageously for nearly two decades. As a steadfast Christian, former deacon and Sunday school teacher at Ft. Collins Bible Church, David found strength in his faith and was prepared to leave this world and return home to his lord and savior when the time was right. In the twilight of his life, David always appreciated the love and support of his extended family. He is survived by his siblings Cindy Bischoff Galvin, Bradley Bischoff, Kenneth Cole, Leisa Bischoff and Marley and Judy Parsons, his cousin Brian Swoboda, as well as his nieces and nephews Marie, Victoria, Calvin, Avery, Gabriel, Joshua and Jacob. The family would like to extend a very special thank you to all of David's caregivers for the kind and loving attention they offered with a very special thank you to Dr. Larry Murphy, his in home nurse Loretta and physical therapist Travis. When asked to identify three words that could sum up David's life Kathy, Lucas and Emily was able to narrow it down to only as few as nine. David will always be remembered as an Impulsive and adventurous sportsman, a creative story-teller, a driven scholar and a committed christian. In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Parkinson’s Association of the Rockies in David’s memory. https://www.parkinsonrockies.org/get-involved/online-donation

David Michael Bischoff

July 3, 1945 - July 20, 2014