David Edwin Winebrenner, IV, of Naples, Florida, formerly of Darien, died on Tuesday, March 28. He was 82.
David Winebrenner IV, 82, passed away March 28. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Darien.
Dave was born in Hanover, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 13, 1940, to Betsy and David (Ned) Winebrenner. He graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, and Yale University in 1963.
After graduation, Dave served in the U.S. Navy on the U.S.S. Alamo, a troop transport ship operating in the South China Sea at the onset of the Vietnamese War.
In 1966, Dave married Elizabeth Cooper. They first lived in Michigan and then moved to Wallingford, Pennsylvania, where Dave received his MBA from Drexel and their three children were born.
Dave and Liz then moved to Darien, where he was active in the children’s soccer program, Babe Ruth League, St. Luke’s Parish and the Kiwanis Club. A lover of playing music, especially the guitar, Dave played in two old time rock ’n’ roll bands, The Retreads and Elmo Kelsey.
The majority of his business life was spent in the field of insurance. Upon retiring, Dave and Liz moved to Naples, where Dave was an active volunteer for the Naples Therapeutic Riding Center, serving for a number of years on its board. He loved his time with the horses and students.
Most of all, Dave loved spending time with his family and grandchildren. Summering at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, was a highlight as he was able to gather with his children and their families and spend quiet time on the water.
Dave is survived by his wife of 57 years; his sons and daughters-in-law: Dewey and Anne Winebrenner of Lake Forest, Illinois, and Andy and Wesley Winebrenner of Vestavia Hills, Alabama; and a daughter and son-in-law, Catie and Paul Jacobsen of Winnetka, Illinois; and nine grandchildren: Meg, Ellie, Bobby, Nick and Ben Winebrenner of Lake Forest, Seve Winebrenner of Vestavia Hills, and Cooper, Will and Teddy Jacobsen of Winnetka. He is also survived by two sisters: Elizabeth Fawcett of Abbottstown, Pennsylvania, and Kris Ratliff of Tucson, Arizona. He was predeceased by his brother, John.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in Darien. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Naples Therapeutic Riding Center.
Dave loved the sea, he loved the beach, he loved his grandchildren. It is fitting that he spent his last moments enjoying all three.
— an obituary from Fuller Funeral Home, where online condolences may be left