David M. McDonald, 76, of Rochester, Michigan, entered the gates of Heaven with thanksgiving in his heart and entered God’s courts with praise on March 28th, 2024, following a hard-fought battle against Alzheimer’s Disease. He was born in Brimley, Michigan on October 4, 1947, to Gordon and Muriel McDonald.
Growing up in Brimley, he loved spending time outdoors in the Back Bay. He attended Brimley Area Schools and graduated from Sault Area High School in 1965. He graduated from Michigan Technological University with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1969 and a master’s degree in electrical engineering in 1971. While attending Michigan Tech David met the love of his life, Renee Panian and they were married in 1971, at Saint Albert the Great Church in Houghton, Michigan. After they were married, they moved to Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where he served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers. Following his time of service, they moved to Rochester where he worked for Chrysler. In 1973 he accepted a position at Lake Superior State University (LSSU) as an instructor in the Engineering Technology program. They raised their family of six children in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. He taught at LSSU for 43 years, retiring as an Electrical Engineering Professor in 2017. From 2006-2017 David also did consulting work in Rochester working on electric vehicle design.
David was a member of IEEE, ASEE, a Professional Engineer, and was awarded Professor Emeritus from LSSU in 2018. He was a humble servant of Christ. He was a hospice volunteer in both Sault Ste. Marie, and Rochester. He served as a deacon over the hospital care ministry at Rochester Christian Church ministering to those in hospice, in the hospital, and shut ins. He joined his Pastor faithfully at 5:30 A.M. for Friday morning prayer. He honored the office of pastor and devoted time to mentoring and praying for pastors. He was an intercessor and would always advise others to turn to prayer. A phrase he quoted often was “prayer is not preparation for the battle, prayer is the battle”. In conversation, he would often say: “let’s just stop and pray about that right now”. Even as the disease progressed, he continued to touch lives. The joy of the Lord was his strength, and he took comfort in Prayer, Bible scriptures, and Christian music.
David was deeply devoted to his family and enjoyed being not only a grandpa, but also a great grandpa. He was surrounded by generations of his family at the time of his death, either in person or remotely.
David is survived by his wife, Renee; children, Shelly (Xavier) Carrier of Bergerac, France, Tammy (David) Bell of Sault Ste. Marie, Laurie (Scott) Meoak of Lake Orion, Michigan, Tracy McDonald of Rochester, Michigan, Tim McDonald of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Amy (Joe) Barry of Auburn, New York; sister, Janice O’Connell of California; grandchildren, Abby (Jeff) Moran, Emma (Brendan) Steikar, Isaac Bell, Elizabeth (Spencer) Joles, Lilah and Marlowe Mocquet-McDonald, Payten and Noah Meoak, and Ella and Alexandra Barry; great-grandsons, William, Theodore, and baby boy Steikar due in June.
David was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Muriel McDonald, stepmother, Reta McDonald; and brothers, Jack McDonald and Gordon McDonald
A Memorial Gathering will be held on April 4, 2024, at 3:00 PM at Family Life Funeral Homes, 4951 S. M-129 Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. A Memorial Service will follow at 4:00 PM with a dinner following the service at Soo Township Hall, 639 3 1/2 Mile Rd, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. Please join the family in celebrating the life of David.
Final Resting place will be at Hilcrest Cemetery in Brimley.
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” Philippians 3:10
Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.
