David Marc Vogelfanger Obituary

Dave was born in Chicago, Illinois and adopted by Emanuel and Sylvia Vogelfanger. He grew up in Hollywood, California where he met his true love to-be, Helen in 4th grade. Their relationship at that time spanned the next 11-12 years. Dave asked Helen to marry him, but she felt she was too young for such a commitment. They went their separate ways. Over the years, each tried repeatedly to find the other with no luck.

Dave started working at the age of 15. First with his father, a printer, where he learned to read backwards and upside-down, as he proudly told people. By the time he was 16, he had worked as a mechanic, was an avid motorcyclist, and by 18, a long haul truck driver.

Dave had a passion for life and traveling. He spent many summers in Italy with his parents. He visited many countries in Asia, vacationed in Hawaii, scuba dived around Catalina Island and Hawaii, and became a private pilot where he gave tours and taught others to fly.

Dave had several relationships and became a father to 8 children, 5 girls and 3 boys, with whom he kept in touch with throughout his life. He proudly passed on some of his skills and hobbies. They all learned basic mechanics, learned to handle and shoot guns, ride motorcycles, had a love of the outdoors, and rode with him on many of his cross-country rides. The boys also learned to drive heavy equipment and learned the art of building reef tanks. He hunted, built his own guns, tested his skill through competition shooting, rode motorcycles, rode ATVs, and more while living in Montana.

Through social media and with the help of friends, Dave reconnected with his love, Helen on May 24, 2016. They spoke every day from May 24th until August, when Helen and Joshua went to visit and see if the bond between them was still there, and it was. Dave asked her to marry him for the second time and this time she said yes.

Dave moved back to California to be with Helen. From that point they were inseparable until his death in July of 2022. They moved to Ridgecrest during the 2019 earthquake where Dave went back to being a tow truck and recovery driver. His passion for reef tanks was renewed as he went from building a nano tank to a 150-gallon saltwater reef tank. Those who knew Dave would drop in regularly to see the new additions. This was his pride and joy.

Dave believed everyone deserved a second chance – or a third - and tried to help others. He wasn't always right, but it never stopped him. Whether it was food they needed, a car to repair, cabinets to put up, something to be built, or a safe haven, our door was always open. There was nothing he couldn't fix.

Dave is survived by his beloved wife, Helen, his eight children, William (Billy), Kathi, Jennifer, Michael, Paula, Daniel, Heather, and Holly, his stepson Joshua, his grandchildren, and the friends he considered family.