Dave was born at home on the family farm in Ladysmith, Wisconsin. He was one of four siblings born to Ted and Theresa Zuck. During the 1940s, the family moved to Washington State, settling near Lake Geneva in Federal Way.
Dave attended Federal Way High School, where he graduated in 1952 as valedictorian and class treasurer. He attended the University of Washington with his high school friend, Ed Englund. It was Ed who encouraged him to pursue a career in teaching.
In 1955, Dave married his high school sweetheart, Carol Heffernan. They were married for 62 years until Carol’s passing in 2017. Dave was a loving father to three daughters, Denise Franks (Les), Kelly Stanley (Court), and Carla Morrow (Dave).
Dave’s first teaching job was at Naches Valley Middle School. He also coached multiple sports, leaving an impact on many young lives. While living in Central Washington, Dave bought a 1947 Willy’s Jeep, a cherished possession, which remains in his family’s care.
Throughout his life, he loved taking family and friends on Jeep rides in the hills above the Naches Valley. This area held a special place in Dave’s heart, so much so that he and Carol purchased property on the Naches River along with high school friends, Ed Englund, Gary Jacobson, John Paris and Al Schulte. “The Lot” became Dave’s second home and he spent as much time as possible in the cabin by the river.
In 1966, the family returned to Federal Way, where Dave accepted a job teaching at Totem Junior High. The same year, he built a home next door to childhood friends, Ed and Myrna Englund. The two families remained neighbors for 54 years. In 1968, Dave opened Sacajawea Junior High, where he taught physical education until his retirement in 1989.
During retirement, Dave pursued his love for carpentry, creating wooden toys for his three grandsons, Torry Stanley (Amy), Ryan Stanley (Loni), and Sean Stanley (Heather), while also selling them at neighborhood craft shows. Dave’s precious great- granddaughter, Bowie Stanley, was born in 2017. Dave and Carol shared a passion for travel, taking many trips pulling their travel trailer across the U.S. and Canada.
Many nights were spent in his basement, listening to music from The Fiddler on the Roof or watching a Husky game. In 2016, Dave and Carol adopted their grandson’s cat, Kitty. Kitty became Dave’s best friend after Carol’s passing.
Dave passed away July 29, 2023, while living at Fieldstone Memory Care in Olympia, Washington. His family would like to thank the staff for their exceptional care.
There will be a private family gathering. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Please share memories at www.FuneralAlternatives.org.
