David S. Teachout died
of multiple complications at Chula Vista, CA, on 11 June 2016. He was 85 years
old.
A native of Sandusky, Michigan Dave enlisted in the United States Navy at the
age of 19 and graduated from NTC Great Lakes in October, 1950. In January, 1951
he qualified in submarines and was assigned to the USS TRUTTA (SS 421). It
wasn’t long before he was accepted to the Naval Academy, attending USNAPS in
1952. He was Captain of the pistol team and graduated with the Class in June of
1956.
Upon graduation, he proceeded to flight school and was selected to fly the
S-2A. A west coast Aviator, he flew in squadrons VS-21, VS-29, VS-41, VS-37 and
was the Commanding Officer of VT-31 in Corpus Christi, Texas, earning an Air
Medal along the way. He was also assigned to numerous carrier and staff jobs,
including his final job as Flag Secretary at Commander, Naval Air Forces,
Pacific on Naval Air Station, North Island where he retired after 34 years of
service.
Towards the twilight of Dave’s navy career he attended law school and passed
the California Bar Exam in preparation for life after the navy. Following his
navy retirement he began work as a corporate lawyer, specializing in worker’s
compensation for Rohr Industries and eventually SHARP medical. Dave fully
retired 15 years later in Coronado, CA.
Anyone who knew Dave quickly realized he was a huge sports fan, especially Navy
football and anything Cleveland. It’s probably not coincidence the Cleveland
Cavaliers won an NBA championship shortly after Dave passed away (Dave pulled
some strings with the Man upstairs). Despite his physical health deteriorating
in the later years, Dave’s mental capacity was as strong as ever. The barometer
for monitoring his mental ability was simple – if he couldn’t recite the entire
Navy football schedule from memory, his family knew there was trouble, but this
never happened.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, the former Mary Matilda McColl, of
Geneva, Ohio; sons, David, Jr., Doug, Duane and Derek; eight grandchildren; and
five great grandchildren.
Memorial services were conducted on August 4th at the Coronado Saint Paul’s
United Methodist Church, with interment at the Miramar National Cemetery in San
Diego, CA following full military honors on August 5th.
- CDR Derek “Teach” Teachout (AOCS class of ’90)
