Dave Allen Wettstein

Dave Allen Wettstein, age 87, passed away peacefully in Sandy, Utah, July 22, 2007, due to complications associated with cancer. Dave was born June 16, 1920, in Salt Lake City, UT to Agnes Marie Madsen and Daniel Wettstein, Jr. He grew up in Salt Lake City and graduated from West High School in 1938. While working at the Interstate Brick Company, he met his eternal sweetheart, Nathalia Elizabeth Cahoon. They were married in Denver, CO on June 20, 1942. Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple in 1943. While playing M-Men basketball, his ward team took 3rd place in the all-church tournament, and won the coveted sportsmanship trophy. He was ready to serve a church mission when WW II broke out. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps and went to pilot training. He was a pilot in the Air Force and retired with 30 years of service to his country. He served in WWII, Berlin Airlift, Korean War, Belgian Congo Crisis and the Viet Nam War. These years included tours in Colorado, Okinawa, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Alabama, France, Virginia and Florida. They retired and came "home" to Salt Lake City in 1971 and established a tax/accounting consulting business. Dave attended many colleges and universities throughout his career, and graduated from the University of Nebraska. He was a very active and faithful member of the LDS Church serving on the high council and was ordained to the office of Bishop by Harold B. Lee. His favorite calling was Stake Athletic Director having served well into his 80's. Although he never attended BYU, he was an avid fan, and never missed a game until his health no longer permitted it. He was named "Superfan of the Game" at a football game in 2001. Never was there a "truer blue" than Dave. He was a faithful Cougar Club member and donated an autographed 1984 National Championship Y flag signed by all the football players and coaches to BYU. He held season tickets for football and basketball from his retirement in 1971 and had already purchased his tickets for this year. Go Cougars! His hobbies included coin collecting, speaking about his war experiences to various groups, and any type of sports. He loved to go to the spa everyday and visit with his special friends at Burger King. He was a loving care-giver to his wife when she was ill and bed-ridden. Dave is survived by their 6 children: Byron (Cookie) Wettstein, Houston, TX; Brent (Sandy) Wettstein, Payson, UT; Elizabeth (Stephen) Athans, Charlotte, NC; Cynthia (Frank) Purvis, American Fork, UT; Ellen (Tom) Kudla, Heber City, UT; and Whitney (Suzanne) Wettstein, Sandy, UT; 23 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by his wife, Nathalia (Sal), and brothers James and Kenneth Wettstein. Services will be 11:00 am, Saturday, July 28th, Olympus 5th Ward Meeting House, 3070 E. Nila Way (4140 S), Salt Lake City, UT, with Bishop Robert Merkley presiding. Viewing will be at Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 S 2300 E, Salt Lake City, UT, 6-8 pm, Friday, July 27th, and at the church one hour prior to services. Interment, Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, Salt Lake City, UT. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.holbrookmortuary.com.