David John Adamek 07/15/2019

David John Adamek, age 75 of River Falls, WI, died on Monday, July 15, 2019.  Dave was born in Palm Beach, Florida at the Breakers Hotel during WWII.  Part of the hotel was temporarily made into a maternity hospital.  He was very proud to consider himself a “Florida Cracker”.  He spent much of his childhood in two places, South Minneapolis, Minnesota and Sheldon, North Dakota on his uncle Fitz’s farm where he learned about the workings of a farm.  The contrasting environments prepared him for both city life and rural life.  He attended Visitation Catholic Grade School where he was kicked off the school patrol,  choir, and from serving as an altar boy for reasons best not discussed…well…it may have something to do with “too many rules”.  After being kicked out of Benilde, (again too many rules), he ultimately graduated from Washburn High School.  During the interim, he took flying lessons, beginning his interest in planes and flying.  Following high school, Dave attended  the Minneapolis School of Art where he studied industrial design and met his future wife, Tina.  His schooling was interrupted when he joined the Navy in 1965.  He served on the USS Taussig, stationed in San Diego, CA as a Quartermaster Third Class in navigation.  Two tours of duty in Vietnam earned him the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Star, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.  He and Tina were married December 3, 1966, during his tour of duty.  Following his military service, he and Tina moved back to Minneapolis.  Back in Minneapolis, Dave worked as a Folding Carton Designer at Champion Int’l where he met his sister, Margaret’s future husband, George.  He worked for several packaging companies in Minneapolis and St. Paul.  Dave and Tina moved from Minneapolis to River Falls, WI in 1992, commuting into the city until retiring in 1999 and 2000.  Dave had many interests:  boxing (he was on the C.O.F. boxing team and was the Golden Gloves Champion in 1955, Jr, G.G.).  He also loved sailing, motorcycles, fishing, horses, trap shooting, dogs, cats, building stuff, and family, blood relation or not.  He was loved by all who knew him.  He leaves a large empty hole in the hearts of all who knew him.  He will not be forgotten.  There are stories to be told and laughter to be shared by all.  “Good night sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.” – Shakespeare’s Hamlet.  A Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at 10:30 am at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services 805 E Division Street River Falls, WI.  Visitation was on Monday, July 22, 2019 form 4-8 pm and on Tuesday from 9:30 – 10:30 am at the funeral home.  Interment was in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.  Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.