David G. Dernbach, 70, of Gorham, NH, passed away on Monday March 20, 2017 at the Coos County Nursing Home after an extended illness. He was born in Milwaukee, WI on June 25, 1946, the son of Dr. George P. and Dorothy H. (Bentz) Dernbach. David grew up in New London, WI where he spent countless hours exploring the many lakes and building a love of wild places he would have all his life.
He graduated from Washington High School in New London in 1964 where he was a standout athlete in baseball and football. He attended Notre Dame University in So. Bend, IN and graduated from Marquette University in 1968. David enlisted in the US Army and was trained as a medic at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX where he was ranked top in his class. He lived in Alaska and then moved to NH, settling in Randolph. David also spent much of his time on the island of Bequia in the West Indies.
David’s service to the community was vast, having served on a number of State Boards working to increase funding and participation for volunteer programs, environmental education, service learning, and numerous opportunities for area youth. David served on the Randolph School Board for many years. He was the founder and the Director of the North Country Trailmaster Program which from 1990- 2003 gave area youth the opportunity to build self-confidence and leadership skills through service learning and outdoor education. By sharing his great love of nature, and teaching the skills to build and maintain trails all over the state of NH, David empowered youth to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others. With no biological children of his own, this is perhaps his greatest legacy.
David leaves behind the many members of the North Country Trailmaster community, his numerous friends, his sister Candi Jane Bowen of Hartland, WI, her husband and their son.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated on April 24, 2017 at 10:00 AM at Holy Family Church in Gorham. There will be no calling hours. The Bryant Funeral Home in Gorham is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donation may be made in David’s memory to The Cohos Trail Association, PO Box 82, Lancaster, NH 03584.