Karl D. Spunich

Karl David Spunich, 88, died Sept. 6, 2023, surrounded by his family in Charles Town, WV.

Dave lived a life full of adventure. He was born and lived in Detroit, MI, until joining the Navy at 17 years old with his best friend Steve. He served as a radar navigator from 1952-56. He traveled to 29 foreign countries and 59 cities. He kept note of each city on his seabag, a prized possession.

Dave spent almost two years in Maxville, Montana, after his time of service, which became one of his favorite places. He often told stories of his city look — peroxide-dyed hair and blue suede shoes — in Maxville, a town of less than 100 people.

Dave returned to Detroit and attended flight school. He was hired afterwards by the Federal Aviation Administration, where he spent 33 years in air traffic control. After retirement, he was part of a team that developed the first air traffic control system using GPS navigation in Fiji.

Dave was loving and generous towards his family and his community. He married Linda in 1960 and raised his three children in Charles Town. He was a long-time member of St. Thomas Lutheran Church, president of Good Shepherd Caregivers, and a Boy Scout troop leader.

He was an avid golf and tennis player. Dave and Linda traveled the world playing tennis and attending major championships. At home, he trained his German Shepherd Julie. The pair came in first at the national championship in obedience and were invited to compete at Westminster.

Dave and Linda’s home was their extended family’s home. Dave’s favorite was Thanksgiving, when he was the king of the kitchen — rising at 5 am to cook the turkey every year, including last year. He crafted his own pizza recipe, “Pa’s pizza,” a tradition passed on to his children.

Dave was tenacious. He went on a 10-day Alaskan rafting trip in 2008 with his son, son-in-law, and grandson weeks after a quadruple bypass surgery. He was always cracking jokes, even through hard times. He was a connoisseur of Southern Comfort Manhattans with black cherries.

Dave is preceded in death by his mother, Marion Mullholland; his father, Karl Spunich; and his sister, Judy Dewitt.

Dave is survived by his wife Linda; their three children and their spouses, Deanna and Michael Bell, Michael and Amy Spunich, and Lisa and James Boyer; his brother, Gordon, and wife, Jill; his sister, Gail Spunich; five grandchildren, Stephen, Elizabeth, Lauren, Grace, and Luke; one great grandson, Jude; and his faithful dog, Nixie.

Family will receive guests at Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home, 256 Halltown Road, Harpers Ferry, WV on Saturday, Sept. 16, at 10 a.m., with a service to follow immediately afterwards at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Good Shepherd Caregivers or Hospice of the Panhandle.

Condolences may be expressed at www.eackles-spencerfuneralhome.com.