Dave had many passions like calculating numbers, skiing, traveling, and talking politics, but his real passion was finding ways to help others be their best and being with family.
David Herbert Van Langeveld was born February 6, 1941, to Jacobus Johannes Van Langeveld and Johanna Maria Herbert in Salt Lake City, just the day before his father’s 65th birthday. His parents were immigrants from the Netherlands. His father loved playing with numbers and taught Dave how to do many different math manipulations in his head.
Dave dropped out of West High School after 10th grade to work. While he never finished his GED, he was admitted to the University of Utah on probation. In the beginning, he didn’t do too well, which was reflected in his GPA. He eventually went to work for Sperry Utah as an inspector of the components for the space program. The job paid well, and he had money for skiing which was his favorite sport. He continued skiing until age 81.
In December 1962 he began a 2 ½ year mission to The Netherlands for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where he made life-long friends. When he re-entered the U of U on his return, he was still on probation, so Dave took a year of math, English and international law to raise his GPA. He was on the dean’s list all that year. In the Fall of 1966, he and Jill Andersen were married in the Salt Lake Temple. They began married life as poor students in The Avenues living in his mother’s duplex.
Because of his early love for numbers, he decided to major in Mathematics and work in business, but was eventually directed toward education, and he never looked back. He taught high school math in Davis County at Viewmont and Clearfield High Schools for over 40 years before he retired. He loved the students and loved watching them figure things out. He also tutored many of the neighborhood kids to help them pass calculus.
One class of calculus students was shocked to discover that he was a high school dropout without a high school diploma. They decided to remedy that. They quietly worked with their principal and surprised him at a school assembly where, with Pomp and Circumstance, he was presented an honorary Clearfield High School Diploma to go with his bachelor’s from the University of Utah and his master’s from the University of Montana.
He was honored by being inducted into the Davis School District Teachers Hall of Fame.
He was the Davis Education Association (DEA) president and worked tirelessly with the Utah Education Association (UEA) to support public education. When he retired, he became the first president of the UEA-Retired group.
He loved his community. He was born and raised in The Avenues. He worked with the Greater Avenues Community Council (GACC) to find ways to serve. He was president of the GACC in 2011 and in 2017 he received the Heart and Hands Award for his many years of service.
He enjoyed sharing his time and talents with his church community. He especially enjoyed his many teaching assignments.
He liked to take the family camping, but he hated the insects. He liked camping in a 20-foot motor home so he could be in the mountains but have windows with screens and be able to take a quick shower. He also loved hiking with family or friends.
He had the “travel bug” and visited many beautiful places to see God’s handiwork. He used to say that if he wasn’t Dutch, he would like to be Norwegian because of the breath-taking fjords.
He leaves behind his cherished wife of 57 years, Jill; his children David R. Van Langeveld (Kris) of Ogden, Utah; Kim Pollard (Shane) of Bentonville, Arkansas; Gerrit Van Langeveld (Alex) of South Jordan, Utah; Erin Coppin (Mark) of Jerome, Idaho; J.J. Van Langeveld (Alisa) of North Salt Lake, Utah; and Stéphane Akoki and his sister Melissa Akoki, Saratoga Springs, Utah; and 16 grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents; and his brother Jim.
A memorial service is scheduled for 6:30 pm on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in the Hilltop Ward chapel followed by a mingle - 589 E. 18th Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah.
In remembrance of Dave’s life and service, the family asks that you donate time or money to a charity that you think will make a difference in someone else’s life.
Guestbook/Condolences
I am so sorry to hear of Dave passing. He is the husband of one of my favorite cousins. And Jill, I know a little bit of what you’re going through. I love you.
Randall.
Oh, how we love the van Langeveld Family! Our hearts are with you. ❤️
Wonderful memories of being friends and neighbors on Northcliff Drive. Whether in Carlsbad, California or St George, Utah Dave and Jill always took the time to visit with us sharing family news and memories of mutual friends.
We’re so sorry to hear this Jill. What a beautiful obituary. He lived a very full life. Pleas let us know if we can do anything for you.
Jill, I am so sad to hear of Dave's passing . Thanks to the GACC I got to know Dave late in life and highly respected our friendship. He was a great person, a great asset to the GACC, and a great individual in politics where on occasion we would meet. I have missed him lately at our meetings and knew that he was struggling, and hoped that he would improve, but unfortunately it seems he just couldn't get to our meetings any more. Please accept my most profound condolences and he was a great man who will be sorely missed.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Thank you for letting us know about Dave’s Passing. Our heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family. We have a lot of great memories of you both from our own marriage, your visit to us in Erie, Pennsylvania, playing chess with Dave as missionary companions, to your wonderful and delicious rice raffle dinners. May the Lord be with you all during this difficult time and remember, it’s only a short separation until we all will be together again on the other side! Sending you all our love,
Rich & Di Overduyn
We are so sorry to hear of Dave's passing. Richard loved home teaching with him. So many fun activities together, plays, Yosemite, San Diego, etc. We wish we could be there to celebrate his life. We loved him so much and we love you Jill.
Love Richard and Bobby Casper
Dave was a force in the Greater Avenues Community Council. It is largely because of Dave's urging that I became Chair in 2014 and made many good friends in the community. His service was obviously contagious and his great mark in this life. We are all the better for Dave having devoted his time to the neighborhood.
It's with sadness that I've heard of Dave's passing. I appreciated knowing him after he retired as the UEA-Retired President. There were many things I admired about him, calmness, intelligence, drive, and passion. As the current president of UEA-R, I wanted to offer my condolences to your family but also express my thanks for all the work he did with the association and willingness to start and help establish UEA-R. We are still building upon his shoulders. He is missed.
Jill, Dave was a great comrade for me in the Association. He was so wise and supportive during my service as President of SLEA. I will miss him and we were always stronger when he was with us. I’m so sorry for your loss. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.🙏🏾
Oh Jill! My love and sympathy to you and your family. Dave was such a great mentor to me with the Davis Education Association. He saved me when I become DEA President with the vacancy of Ellen Thompson being elected as UEA Vice President and he accepted the appointment to be my vice president at DEA. His past experience as DEA President helped me so much. He was a friend and example and through our DEA travels it was so great to get to know you, too.
With my sincere love and respect to both of you!
Dave was a tremendous asset to the DEA, both as an elected leader, Board Member, Negotiations Committee, Political Action Committee and a great personal friend. While I hadn’t heard this news until now, I am receiving it while visiting his “homeland” during a trip to the Netherlands 🇳🇱.
Blessings to you, Jill.
Vik Arnold