David Stephen Papai passed away on January 15, 2021. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 64 years, Leanor, and children Michele (David Drabold) Athens OH, Andrea (John Fowler), Blairsville GA, Michael (Jenny Jones) of Anderson, grandchildren Jacob (Lydia Picard) Fowler, Lindsay (Josh) Fowler Adkins, Sasha, Mila and Leanya Martczyanov, Will Drabold (Kaitlyn Kostival) and Edward Drabold (Ashley Cobbs), Ava Papai, and one great grandson, Charles David Drabold. Preceded in death by his son David Lee, Grandson Michael David Fowler, brother Albert Papai, and his daughter Jeanné Papai.
David was born on April 12, 1933, the eldest child of Stephen Papai and Julia (Varga) of South Bend. His siblings are Victor (Mary Lou) Papai, sister in law Sandy Papai and sister Julianne (Tony) Mroczkiewicz. He is loved by numerous nieces and nephews as a proud and engaged uncle and great uncle.
He attended Our Lady of Hungary Elementary and Washington High School in South Bend, IN. He served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War at Fort Monmouth and White Sands Missile Base. He obtained an Associate’s degree in Radio Engineering from Valparaiso Tech. in 1953. He worked for 10 years at Bendix Missile Division, and then as an Engineer for 30 years at the Delco Remy division of General Motors in Anderson, retiring in 1992. After retiring from General Motors he was an engineering consultant for Delco Remy of America in Mezokovesd, Hungary.
He had a full life: an avid hiker of the Alaskan backcountry, Isle Royale National Park and locations far and wide as well as logging many miles on the Appalachian Trail. He scaled many fourteeners in Colorado. A world traveler throughout Europe, a gifted woodworker, voracious reader, and an enthusiastic genealogist in his retirement. He was also a passionate gardener, “the tomato whisperer”. Over the years he hiked with a menagerie of teenagers, family and buddies.
Dave was a devoted community volunteer. These include: St. Mary’s Church Community, St. Dismas Society, CYO, Literacy advocate, Christian Center Soup Kitchen.
Anyone that knew Dave recognized that he was one of a kind. Warm, principled, intelligent, curious, fascinated by humanity and a dedicated conversationalist. His guiding star was his abiding Catholic faith, always his support and inspiration through life. In turn, he became a model for others to follow. Dave and Lea suffered loss, but their faith and love endured. It’s hard to imagine anyone more engaged in life through every turn than Dave.
He will be profoundly missed, but the love and memories from his life will last for generations not only for his family but for all his friends and acquaintances because he never met a stranger.
David was born on April 12, 1933, the eldest child of Stephen Papai and Julia (Varga) of South Bend. His siblings are Victor (Mary Lou) Papai, sister in law Sandy Papai and sister Julianne (Tony) Mroczkiewicz. He is loved by numerous nieces and nephews as a proud and engaged uncle and great uncle.
He attended Our Lady of Hungary Elementary and Washington High School in South Bend, IN. He served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War at Fort Monmouth and White Sands Missile Base. He obtained an Associate’s degree in Radio Engineering from Valparaiso Tech. in 1953. He worked for 10 years at Bendix Missile Division, and then as an Engineer for 30 years at the Delco Remy division of General Motors in Anderson, retiring in 1992. After retiring from General Motors he was an engineering consultant for Delco Remy of America in Mezokovesd, Hungary.
He had a full life: an avid hiker of the Alaskan backcountry, Isle Royale National Park and locations far and wide as well as logging many miles on the Appalachian Trail. He scaled many fourteeners in Colorado. A world traveler throughout Europe, a gifted woodworker, voracious reader, and an enthusiastic genealogist in his retirement. He was also a passionate gardener, “the tomato whisperer”. Over the years he hiked with a menagerie of teenagers, family and buddies.
Dave was a devoted community volunteer. These include: St. Mary’s Church Community, St. Dismas Society, CYO, Literacy advocate, Christian Center Soup Kitchen.
Anyone that knew Dave recognized that he was one of a kind. Warm, principled, intelligent, curious, fascinated by humanity and a dedicated conversationalist. His guiding star was his abiding Catholic faith, always his support and inspiration through life. In turn, he became a model for others to follow. Dave and Lea suffered loss, but their faith and love endured. It’s hard to imagine anyone more engaged in life through every turn than Dave.
He will be profoundly missed, but the love and memories from his life will last for generations not only for his family but for all his friends and acquaintances because he never met a stranger.