David Gauding

Beloved husband of Sandra. Survived by his son Mark (Julie), sister Madonna Gauding of Ann Arbor, Ml, and brother Dale Gauding (Lee Green) of Norfolk, Va.

Dave was a lifelong St. Louis resident who attended Mercy High school and St. Louis

University. Upon graduation from St. Louis University he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force and stationed at RAF Mildenhall, UK., where he managed the Officers' Club, Flight Line food service, and preformed classified work, transporting nuclear weapons during the height of the Cold War. It was in England that Dave met a pretty American girl, Sandra Hunt. They were married for more than 55 years. Dave also served at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah. He left the service with the rank of Captain.

Dave had a long and varied career. In his youth, he spent 10 years learning a variety of jobs at St. Louis Country Club, from caddying before high school, to managing the 9th hole drink shack and poolside snack bar, as well as working the front office through college. He returned to the club as assistant manager upon leaving the Air Force.

Dave also managed The Raquet Club in St. Louis, where the decision was made to bankroll Charles Lindbergh's historic solo flight. He also managed the Log Cabin Club, worked in corporate services for Anheuser Busch, and as a pharmaceutical buyer.

Dave's first love was Bluegrass music. He played guitar, banjo and mandolin. When he was younger he spent many weekends traveling to bluegrass festivals around the Midwest and spent many, many happy hours playing music with his friends. Dave was also an avid Ham Radio operator (NFOR) and was a founding member of the St. Louis QRP Radio Club. He was an expert pistol shooter in the Air Force and maintained a lifelong interest in sporting arms. He passed on this love of competitive shooting to his son Mark, and they spent many hours at Busch Wildlife shooting range.

Dave was most proud of his son Mark for achieving his goal of becoming a commercial airline/ corporate pilot. Although not a pilot himself, Dave was an enthusiastic aviation lover. particularly World War Il aircraft. He and Mark spent many happy hours visiting air museums and air shows.

In lieu of flowers please donate to Heartland Humane Society, PO Box 113, O'Fallon, MO.