David E Nothstine

David Earl Nothstine, born on his grandmother’s farm in Dundee, Missouri on December 18, 1932, died on Tuesday January 30 at home in Lexington Country Club, Fort Myers, Florida. He was surrounded by his wife of 66 years, Mae Jean (Wehmueller) Nothstine, and his children, Chris (Tim) Gay, Casey (Bob) Koch, Caryn Kast, and Curt (Beth) Nothstine. He died of congestive heart failure after many years of battling heart disease.

Dave enjoyed childhood in various homes around Jefferson County, MO, mostly on farms where he hunted, fished, and explored the surrounding woods, creeks and fields. He graduated from the one-room schoolhouse in Newport, MO, and Washington High School in Washington, MO. At the Missouri School of Mines & Metallurgy (now Missouri S&T) Dave earned a degree in mechanical engineering, then headed with his new family to California to work for North American Aviation in their missile development division. After 2 years they moved back to St. Louis, MO, where Dave went to work for McDonnell Aircraft (now Boeing) on the F-4, F-101, F-111 airplanes, and finally on the F-15 Eagle where he started in advanced design and rose to be the Director of Engineering for the entire project. Dave’s career lasted longer than planned, as a result of his promotion to President of McDonnell Douglas Services and the world travel it entailed to places such as Japan and Saudi Arabia.

After retirement Dave and Mae Jean moved to the Lexington Community in Fort Myers where he was active in his church, Zion Lutheran, as a small group leader, usher, and member of the Human Resources Committee. Dave was an avid duplicate bridge player. He started a duplicate group during lunch when he was at McDonnell, and ran one at Lexington when he moved to Florida. He also played with various men’s and couple’s groups over the years. Water-skiing and vacationing with his family on Table Rock Lake in Southwestern Missouri were something else that Dave enjoyed immensely. He only stopped water-skiing at age 75!

Dave was a strong family leader always taking time to teach life-skills to his children and grandchildren as well as provide guidance in spiritual matters. Whether doing dishes the right way, fixing cars, fixing plumbing, woodworking, or mathematics, lessons from Dave to his family are ever in our minds. His guidance and love will be sorely missed!

Dave was preceded in death by his father, Earl; mother, Annie (Sullivan); siblings Bernie, Johnny and Betty (Freise). He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren Thomas (Courtney) Koch, Fred (Sara) Gay, Leslie Koch, Bert (Stacey Rickers) Gay, Dave (Andrea Hessler) Nothstine, Kayla (Eric Hollier) Koch, and Ellie Nothstine, and one great granddaughter, Harriet Gay.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, February 4, 2:30 pm, at Zion Lutheran Church followed by a reception at the Lexington Country Club. Condolences can be electronically sent via www.NeptuneSociety.com.

The family requests memorials go to Zion Lutheran Church, 7401 Winkler Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33919 which fed his soul, or Hope Hospice , 9470 Healthpark Cir, Fort Myers, FL 33908 whose staff showed the entire family great compassion and helped ease Dave’s transition to heaven.