David Eugene Weikel, 68, of Hickory, formerly of Chattanooga, TN and Harrisburg, PA, passed away on the morning of March 7, 2023.
Dave, as he was known to his friends, was born in Shamokin, Pennsylvania on August 28, 1954 to his parents Eugene and Joyce. Dave was a devoted, son, big brother, dad, and grandfather. He moved to Hickory in 2019 to be with daughter Cassie (Keaton) Miller and grandsons Beau and Brooks. He always put his friends and family first.
Dave graduated from Harrisburg High School in 1972 with his best friend, Jay Himes by his side. He attended Grove City College where he was a devoted member of Kappa Alpha Phi Fraternity and loved having brothers for the first time in his life. He graduated from LSU School of Law in 1989 and spent the next 15 years practicing law in Nashville and Chattanooga, Tennessee. He liked to think he had two careers: law and education. After his move to Chattanooga, he began teaching at Notre Dame High School in 2005. He said his midlife crisis was finally deciding what he wanted to be when he grew up – a teacher. Some of his career highlights as a teacher included his yearbook dedication, receiving the Heart of Notre Dame award, and endless hours on the soccer field coaching the girls soccer team. Mr. Weikel, as he was known to his students, taught every course in the Social Studies department as his classes were highly sought after. Students appreciated his sense of humor, passion for his subject matter, and honesty. Through teaching at Notre Dame, he also gained his Masters of Education from Lee University in 2013. Dave touched many areas of the Notre Dame community from the classroom to being the “voice of Notre Dame” as their beloved game announcer for many sports. He retired from his Notre Dame family in 2019 to the dismay all of the students who never got a chance to have a seat in his classroom. After he moved to Hickory, he was fortunate enough to be able to continue his love of learning and substitute teach for Burke County Schools until May of 2022. Sometimes he and Cassie even got to car pool and share morning coffee and lunch breaks together, a time she will cherish forever.
His truest passion in life was being a father. There were many laughs, car rides, stories shared, walks had, and adventures he and his daughter, Cassie, went on together. He inspired her to be a School Counselor and wanting to help people in an educational setting. He loved listening & singing to classic rock music and playing air piano on the steering wheel of his car while he drove. He loved watching the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Yankees, and any college football. He enjoyed napping to golf or Nascar races on Sunday afternoons after church. He enjoyed a good cigar and glass of buffalo trace bourbon while chatting on the phone with his friends. Dave spent most of his spare time in service to others. He even officiated one of his very best friend, Melissa’s wedding just because she asked. He was a Knight of Columbus and sang in the church choir; he loved serving his Lord, Jesus Christ and was a devout member of the Catholic faith.
David was preceded in death by his father, Eugene in 2001.
Left behind to cherish David’s memory are his mother Joyce Weikel, his sister Wanda (Barry, Jeffery, Jillian) Hand, and sister Kathy (Ron, Ronnie, Andrew) Powell. His daughter Cassie (Keaton) and grandsons Beau and Brooks, to whom he was lovingly referred to as Popeye. He leaves behind many friends, family, and students who loved him. He is described as others as “one of a kind” and truer words have never been spoken. The “voice of Notre Dame” is now quiet, but his legacy will live on for generations to come.
Funeral arrangements are set for Sunday March 12, 2023 at Corinth Reformed Church 150 16th Avenue NW Hickory, NC 28601. The service will also be livestreamed for those who cannot attend https://corinthtoday.org There will be a receiving of friends at 4:00 pm followed by a service at 5:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund will be set up for his grandsons, Beau and Brooks so they can continue the legacy of being a lifelong learner. A memorial contribution will be set up in his honor. If you would like to donate, please visit this link https://gofund.me/cd1d3024 or you may send a check made out to the boys to PO Box 162 Hickory 28603.
I’m so sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. I went to school with Dave and Jay. They were both very good friends and helped me at one point through a ruff point in my life.Back then we all knew him as “Pickle’! I’ve lost touch with him but he was a good person then and sounds like he got even better with age. My condolences to his family. His mother was always a very caring person also. May you all find peace and cherish your memories always.
So sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. He was loved by my children who attended Notre Dame and he was truly the “voice of Notre Dame.” Prayers for you all.
I grew up with Dave, Wanda and Kathy at Market Square Church and going to school together. Dave was always up for a good time. My condolences to Cassie and family that I’ve never met.
I Pray for your whole family that you find comfort from friends that share in your grief with Dave ‘s passing. Blessed to have had him in my life . Rest with your Lord and Father in Heaven.
Was honored to be in Dave’s Kappa Alpha Phi pledge
class and will cherish those memories forever
RIP?
Hi Cassie,
I’m so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. I was a student in his class at Norte Dame, and I really enjoyed the moments of humor, relatability, and safeness that his class and teaching fostered. He was genuinely an amazing figure to look up to, and he constantly gushed about you and his grandson. I know that you may not know me, but we, and all his students subsequently, knew about you and your family, because he loved you so dearly and warmly. I hope that you are able to find some consolation from this message, that his impact to others was genuine, strong, and nurturing.
Dave & I were pledge brothers, too. In those days, part of the pledging experience included a drop-off at some remote location in the middle of the night. Dave & I were dropped of together in Monroeville, PA on a cold February night in 1973. We managed to hitch-hike back to campus during the next several hours. We became good friends during that little adventure… which was probably the whole idea. In those days, hitch-hiking was very common. Like Bob Lowry, I sure wish I had stayed in touch with more guys over the years. It was such a great group of friends. Dave was a special person. His obituary is beautiful.
I am Rich Coombs, one of Dave’s fraternity brothers from Grove City College. First Cassie, I want to extend my condolences & deepest sympathy to you and your entire family. Although I was a year ahead of Dave in college, we were very good friends. But who did not like Dave? So popular, quick witted, a faithful friend and just a great guy. We must have played hundreds of spades and hearts card games and always talking sports during and in between hands. And what a full life Dave lived. Sounds like he pursued his dreams and was able to be a wonderful role model, teacher and mentor to hundreds of high school students. That is not surprising to me! Cassie, I know you were blessed to have Dave for a father. What a wonderful person to call Dad. Leaving us all way too soon though….R.I.P. Dave!
I am sad to hear of Dave’s passing. He and I were fraternity brothers. We both lived in Harrisburg so we traveled back and forth together to Grove City College. One trip left us stranded in a snowstorm overnight half way. I looked forward to his weekly college radio show which he would always open with Chestnut Mare by the Byrds. He and his best friend Moon (Jim Grafton) sold hot dogs from their dorm room at 9:00 pm many nights. We lined up in the hallway awaiting the delicacies. He was always a dedicated friend and brother. May he soar in his new life!
Being a pledge class member of Kappa Alpha Phi, and a roommate in college for 2 of our 4 years , getting to be close to “midget “ as he was affectionately known was a joy. His love of life and enthusiasm was contagious. Not remaining close in the years since then is now a regret but yet another lesson he has taught me. Rest In Peace my friend. You are missed!
Cassie and Family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Deb Hefner Bauer