David Fred Peschau was born April 1, 1948, along with twin brother, Richard Peschau ’70, in Minneapolis, to the loving care of Kenneth and Jean (Swenson) Peschau. Seven years later, sister Debra came along. Raised first on Blaisdell Ave. in Minneapolis and later on Warren Ave. in Edina, Minn. David attended Cahill School and Edina High School enjoying close times with family and good times with eventual lifelong friends playing youth basketball and other sports, cribbage games and many fun-filled summers at local YMCA Twin Cities Camp Ihduhapi. Dave also was also an active youth member at Normandale Lutheran Church. At age 17, David and the Peschau family relocated to Wausau, Wis., during the summer between his junior and senior year of high school. David quickly made many new and eventual lifelong friends in Wausau before graduating from Wausau High East School Class of 1966.
David attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, graduating in 1970. David was actively involved in Luther College student government serving in numerous leadership roles and Sigma Chi fraternity member. Upon graduation from Luther, David joined the National Guard, relocated back to Wausau, Wis., and served as a History teacher at Wausau West High School before making a career move into broadcasting.
While in Wausau, David met Helen Noble, it was love at first site and they soon married there in 1973. Dave and Helen each soon found compelling career opportunities to move to Madison, Wis., were there for a year, made some more lifelong friends and then found themselves with even more compelling career opportunities during 1974 to finally settle in La Crosse, Wis., where they eventually raised their family and made their life together.
Professionally, David first worked for the Horizon Communications and Liberty Television owned Wisconsin Television Network stations in various broadcast sales positions at WAOW ABC TV 9 in Wausau, WKOW ABC TV 27 in Madison and later as General Manager of both WXOW ABC TV 19 in La Crosse and WQOW ABC TV 18 in Eau Claire. After an ownership change at the Wisconsin Television Network stations, David soon found himself with the opportunity manage the competing television station in La Crosse (WKBT CBS TV 8) serving as General Manager for several years before eventually co-owning and managing many various radio and other communications properties including WKBH Radio in La Crosse. David later served as a consultant in the communications industry serving various commercial, non-profit, educational, foreign and domestic government customers. After retirement, David frequently volunteered his time and talent in these areas to assist many projects and causes near and dear to his heart. During the final weeks of his life David was still actively assisting local organizations with media buy strategies and helping to organize video production shoots for local organizations to work with the local television stations that he once managed years ago.
Service was a large part of David’s life. David volunteered time to numerous organizations including Mobile Meals and had the opportunity to serve many local service and organizations in advisory and leadership rolls including Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce, Viterbo University, the American Cancer Society, the Forest History Association of Wisconsin and others. David also served terms as President of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in La Crosse and President of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association.
David loved entertaining and travel, was an avid reader, enjoyed current events and civics, was a huge sports fan, loved time spent traveling with and visiting friends, loved gatherings with his local friends for gourmet dinners and bridge club parties. He also particularly enjoyed playing cribbage and mentoring numerous students that he came to know over the years.
David was a family man. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, son, nephew, brother, uncle and cousin.
David had a special ability to open his ears, listen diligently, care deeply and positively impact everyone within his ambit.
David had frequent and highly enjoyable visits with family and friends during the last many years. He cherished these deeply. The family would like to thank his care team for their excellent work and devotion to David’s care over the years and also for the extra special things they did to help make these many cherished family and friend visits over the years so special for everyone.
David passed away Oct. 15, 2018, at home. David is survived by his two sons, Matthew Peschau ‘99 of La Crosse, Wis., and Christopher (Dawn) Peschau of Chandler, Ariz., his twin brother Richard Peschau ’70 (Shavelle) of Paoli, Okla., sister Debra (Craigg) Jones of Minneapolis, sister in-law Margaret Jorris of Newton, Iowa, cousin Reynold Hokenson of Vashon, Wash., cousin Karen (Larry) Lee of Long Beach, Calif., and cousin Jim (Kathy) Bratly of Edina, Minn., plus many other special nieces, nephews, other relatives and family friends. David was preceded in death by his wife Helen and his parents Kenneth and Jean.
Memorial services were held Nov. 10, 2018, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2135 Weston Street. Pastor Bruce Iverson officiating, and burial was in the Oak Grove Cemetery. The family asks that any memorials be directed to the charity of their choice or the family for distribution. Information and online condolences may be given to the family at www.dickinsonfuneralhomes.com.