Obituary of David Bechtel

A livestream/recording of the service will be made available by clicking here

David Leonard Bechtel was born on March 25, 1942 into a world at war. When he was one month old, his father left to spend the next year and a half in a Conscientious Objectors (CO) camp on Vancouver Island, leaving infant David and his mother dependent on the hospitality and care of the wider church community to provide support and housing for the vulnerable little family. This early experience profoundly shaped Dave’s convictions, career decisions, and service to the church and community.

From two initial business partnerships in building supplies and house construction which were interrupted by a downturn in the economy, he and Muriel followed the call to move their family to Toronto where he spent the next 22 years in seniors health care, first as Administrator of St. Clair O’Connor Community, a multigenerational community in East York, then as Financial Manager at Belmont House, an established seniors community in downtown Toronto. After his first retirement, he began a career as a Financial Planner with MSCU (now Kindred) until his hearing limited his ability to function effectively in that role. Then he accepted a short-term position as interim Financial Manager for Conrad Grebel University College. As his mobility became more of a challenge, he started a small consulting business in personal income taxes, bookkeeping, and consultation for individuals and churches. He found tremendous satisfaction and meaning in helping others to understand and manage their affairs to achieve their personal goals.

Dave volunteered on many committees and boards in the wider church and community: Mennonite Church Eastern Canada, Conscience Canada, Stroke Recovery Association, Langs Community, MennoHomes (now Beyond Housing), Probus, and numerous committees and boards in the churches he was part of. In one of his final conversations with family, he said, “We made our decisions based on where we were needed rather than financial gain and learned to trust that there would be enough for our needs. I am at peace with the choices we made.” For his family, friends, and colleagues, he was a trusted, wise and dependable presence.

After a difficult final few weeks in hospitals and ER departments chasing an elusive diagnosis, he was cared for during his final days in the compassionate and peaceful environment of Hospice Wellington. Through it all, he was surrounded by love of family and friends, dedicated professionals, and the greater Love of God who held him throughout his life.

Dave is survived by his wife, Muriel (Martin), son Greg, and daughter Krista (Dave) Alexander, and grandchildren, Dylan and Sadie Alexander for whom he always had a warm smile and greeting right up until his last moments of being able to communicate verbally. Also survived by sisters and in-laws: Martha (John) Wood, Norma (John) Lichti, Dorothy MacBride and Shirley Snyder, Elvin (Gail Veitch) Martin, Sharon (Jim) Martin Brubacher and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Leonard and Nora (Brubacher) Bechtel, sister Esther, and brothers-in-law Richard MacBride and Darcy Snyder.

Visitation will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Thursday, October 17, 2024 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm. The funeral service will take place at Preston Mennonite Church, 791 Concession Road, Cambridge on Friday Oct.18 at 1:00 pm with visitation from 12:00 pm to 12:45 pm at the church.  A reception will follow the service in the church hall. A family interment will have taken place at Hagey Cemetery, Cambridge. A livestream/recording will be made available by clicking the link at the top of the obituary notice.

Condolences for the family and donations to Preston Mennonite Church/Fairview Healing Garden or Beyond Housing (formerly MennoHomes) may be arranged through the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street S. Waterloo at www.erbgood.com