David Joseph Spahr
1954 - 2025
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David Joseph Spahr, age 71, passed away peacefully at 3:13am on October 13, 2025 with wife, SueAnn, son, Adam and daughter, Sarah by his side.
David was born on January 2, 1954 in Warren, Ohio, son of Joseph Henry Spahr and Mary Ann (Scerba) Spahr. When his father was transferred with IBM, he moved his family to Katonah, New York where David attended John Jay Senior High School, graduating in 1972. He then received a full scholarship to play basketball at Valparaiso University in Indiana.
After college David moved to Burlington, Vermont to pursue a career in the hospitality industry as a restaurateur. He was the smiling face behind Vermont’s Hawk’s Point, The Ice House, Atwater Kent, The Restaurant at Forrest Hills, Jake’s and the Café Shelburne.
In the summer of 1977, David, the 6’2” athlete with shoulder length hair and a mustache met the blue eyed 4’11” bohemian artist, SueAnn Kinsler, when SueAnn took a job as a cocktail waitress at Hawks Point, the restaurant David was managing. SueAnn had no experience in the restaurant world, but David, ever the patient teacher, took it upon himself to show her the ropes. Rather than rushing her through the basics, he took his time, staying up late after shifts to help her master the art of garnishing drinks and memorizing the endless cocktail recipes. And what better way to learn than over greasy late-night breakfasts of omelets and coffee at the local 24-hour diner. David’s patience with SueAnn didn’t just teach her about cocktails, it set the stage for a love that would last a lifetime, complete with plenty of humor, love, and a soft spot for brinner (breakfast for dinner), a family favorite to this day.
On June 5, 1982, David and SueAnn were married and built their first home on Mt. Philo Road in Shelburne, Vermont. The two soon welcomed two beautiful children, Adam and Sarah and their family became the heart of everything.
The Spahr Family moved to Scottsdale, Arizona in 1994 where he continued his career in hospitality at The Boulders Resort and Spa, The Hyatt Regency at Gainey Ranch, The Carefree Conference Resort and finally Sprouts Farmers Market as a Beer & Wine buyer and category manager before retiring in 2017.
David was an exceptional athlete, a Harley Davidson enthusiast, and a master chef who took tremendous pride in his exceptionally crafted meals. He was a creative soul with a sharp sense of humor, and a romantic with a kind, soft heart wrapped in a tough exterior.
He loved family trips to the beach and cheering on his New York sports teams. He was a master snowman builder, a Scrabble champion, the most fun pool-time playmate, a devoted ZZ Top fan, and a connoisseur of finding the perfect pumpkin for carving. Known for his uncanny ability to predict the weather and for the wild stories he loved to tell, David had a way of bringing laughter and light into any room.
David faced the last few years with remarkable courage and strength, fighting as hard as he could with a positive attitude and his family as his motivation. Above all else, David loved his family. He was a Son, Brother, Husband, Father, and proud Papa who gave his loved ones a beautiful life and his presence is and will continue to be deeply missed.
David is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 49 years, SueAnn Kinsler Spahr, his son Adam (partner, Dr. Derek Matthews) of Phoenix, Arizona, his daughter Sarah Mich (husband, Dave Mich) of Scottsdale, Arizona, and twin grand daughters, Quinn and Marlowe Mich, his pride and joy. David is also survived by sisters Valerie Franz (husband, Paul and their family) of Burlington, Vermont, Victoria Dodson (husband, Ted and their family) of Raleigh, North Carolina, and brother Brian (wife, Danielle) of Fairhaven, Vermont. He is preceded in death by his parents, friends and his beloved Golden Retrievers, Otto, Boone and Wyatt, and, of course, Harley Davidson the family cat.
David always used to joke about no one ever wanting to celebrate his birthday so soon after the holidays, so to honor him, we will celebrate his life on what would have been his 72nd birthday in January, details from the family to come. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to:
Every Kid Sports
everykidsports.org
American Cancer Society
donate.cancer.org
David was born on January 2, 1954 in Warren, Ohio, son of Joseph Henry Spahr and Mary Ann (Scerba) Spahr. When his father was transferred with IBM, he moved his family to Katonah, New York where David attended John Jay Senior High School, graduating in 1972. He then received a full scholarship to play basketball at Valparaiso University in Indiana.
After college David moved to Burlington, Vermont to pursue a career in the hospitality industry as a restaurateur. He was the smiling face behind Vermont’s Hawk’s Point, The Ice House, Atwater Kent, The Restaurant at Forrest Hills, Jake’s and the Café Shelburne.
In the summer of 1977, David, the 6’2” athlete with shoulder length hair and a mustache met the blue eyed 4’11” bohemian artist, SueAnn Kinsler, when SueAnn took a job as a cocktail waitress at Hawks Point, the restaurant David was managing. SueAnn had no experience in the restaurant world, but David, ever the patient teacher, took it upon himself to show her the ropes. Rather than rushing her through the basics, he took his time, staying up late after shifts to help her master the art of garnishing drinks and memorizing the endless cocktail recipes. And what better way to learn than over greasy late-night breakfasts of omelets and coffee at the local 24-hour diner. David’s patience with SueAnn didn’t just teach her about cocktails, it set the stage for a love that would last a lifetime, complete with plenty of humor, love, and a soft spot for brinner (breakfast for dinner), a family favorite to this day.
On June 5, 1982, David and SueAnn were married and built their first home on Mt. Philo Road in Shelburne, Vermont. The two soon welcomed two beautiful children, Adam and Sarah and their family became the heart of everything.
The Spahr Family moved to Scottsdale, Arizona in 1994 where he continued his career in hospitality at The Boulders Resort and Spa, The Hyatt Regency at Gainey Ranch, The Carefree Conference Resort and finally Sprouts Farmers Market as a Beer & Wine buyer and category manager before retiring in 2017.
David was an exceptional athlete, a Harley Davidson enthusiast, and a master chef who took tremendous pride in his exceptionally crafted meals. He was a creative soul with a sharp sense of humor, and a romantic with a kind, soft heart wrapped in a tough exterior.
He loved family trips to the beach and cheering on his New York sports teams. He was a master snowman builder, a Scrabble champion, the most fun pool-time playmate, a devoted ZZ Top fan, and a connoisseur of finding the perfect pumpkin for carving. Known for his uncanny ability to predict the weather and for the wild stories he loved to tell, David had a way of bringing laughter and light into any room.
David faced the last few years with remarkable courage and strength, fighting as hard as he could with a positive attitude and his family as his motivation. Above all else, David loved his family. He was a Son, Brother, Husband, Father, and proud Papa who gave his loved ones a beautiful life and his presence is and will continue to be deeply missed.
David is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 49 years, SueAnn Kinsler Spahr, his son Adam (partner, Dr. Derek Matthews) of Phoenix, Arizona, his daughter Sarah Mich (husband, Dave Mich) of Scottsdale, Arizona, and twin grand daughters, Quinn and Marlowe Mich, his pride and joy. David is also survived by sisters Valerie Franz (husband, Paul and their family) of Burlington, Vermont, Victoria Dodson (husband, Ted and their family) of Raleigh, North Carolina, and brother Brian (wife, Danielle) of Fairhaven, Vermont. He is preceded in death by his parents, friends and his beloved Golden Retrievers, Otto, Boone and Wyatt, and, of course, Harley Davidson the family cat.
David always used to joke about no one ever wanting to celebrate his birthday so soon after the holidays, so to honor him, we will celebrate his life on what would have been his 72nd birthday in January, details from the family to come. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to:
Every Kid Sports
everykidsports.org
American Cancer Society
donate.cancer.org
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