David Yurchak

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of David Walter Yurchak on November 26, 2023 at the age of 72.  

He was a beloved brother and uncle, and a devoted son to Angeline and Nicholas Yurchak.  He was especially proud of his stellar group of nieces and nephews.

He was born on April 17, 1951 in Pierre, South Dakota, then the family moved to Sweet Home, Oregon in 1963. He graduated from Sweet Home High School as Class Valedictorian and Student Body President. He earned undergraduate degrees in Mathematics and Physics from Oregon State University. He then went on to achieve a PHD in Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

He retired as Professor Emeritus in Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Wisconsin at River Falls. In addition, he consulted for The Bureau of Mines in Minneapolis St. Paul.

Dave was amazingly generous and kind hearted, always ready to help all of his siblings and friends. He could easily fix most anything. His church parish, St. Bridget's in River Falls, Wisconsin truly appreciated all his expertise as he volunteered to work on their computer programs.

His hobbies included furniture making, traveling (he visited all 50 states with his most-liked being Alaska), and reading (especially science fiction; favorites included Isaac Asimov, Dr. Who, Star Trek and Star Wars).

He is survived by two brothers, six sisters, three brother-in-laws, three nephews, and three nieces: James Yurchak, Reverend Thomas Yurchak, Kathleen Hefflinger (Michael), Patricia Yurchak, Nancy Blailock (Michael), Mary Kiriakedis (Thomas), Janet Hall, Margaret Yurchak, Christopher Hall, Michelle Hall, Thomas Kiriakedis, Alyssa Smith, Branden Vennes, and Lauren Vennes.

He was preceded in death by his mother Angeline, his father Nicholas, and his eldest sister Judith Hornbeck and her husband John.