David Lee Ruswinkle of Carmichael, California, passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Dave had been battling kidney cancer, complicated with septicemia.
He was born August 4, 1966, in Toledo, to Ray and Sharon (Panning) Ruswinkle.
He was a graduate of Maumee High School Class of 1984. In November, he joined the U.S. Navy. During his naval career of 20 years, he was able to travel the world aboard some of the finest aircraft carriers, including the USS Saratoga, USS Nimitz and the USS Carl Vinson. He especially enjoyed his travels surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. He was serving on the USS Saratoga during “Desert Storm.” One of the planes from his squadron was the first to bomb Iraq.
After he left the Navy, he went to work for the State of California Board of Occupational Therapy and later for the Medical Board of California in Sacramento. He worked for these departments for a total of 20 years.
Dave was a big sports fan. He played in Maumee Little League and pony/colt. Before going into the Navy, he umpired little league baseball games with his dad. He loved baseball, NASCAR and football (especially college football— a Cleveland Indians, now Guardians, and Cleveland Browns fan.
Surviving are his wife Sharon (Cook); daughters, Sarah (Matthew) Smith of Deltona, Florida, and Katie Ruswinkle of Carmichael; stepson, David of Car-michael; his parents, Ray and Sharon; brothers, Ken (Anne) of Avondale, Arizona, Tim of Toledo and Todd (Nicki) of Toledo; nieces, Wendy Wilt of Detroit, Michigan; Maya and Leah; nephews, Christian (Yanny) and Dominic; a great-niece, Sydney Wilt, and greatnephews, Toby and Parker, along with many aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Carl and Garnet Ruswinkle, Karl and Dorothy Panning; nephew, Daniel James Ruswinkle; four uncles, and two aunts.
Graveside services will be held at Fair Oaks Cemetery in California on Monday, June 3, at 11:30 a.m.
Memorials in David’s name should be made to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) or Tunnels to Towers Foundation.