In 1981, Dave and his high school sweetheart, Nancy Hersey, were married in Waterloo. They later divorced. Their lives were blessed with three children, Nick, Sara and Tom. Dave fondly recalled his early twenties when he had "life in the palm of his hand." By the age of 22, he had already purchased and remodeled his own home and had two perfect children. He had always planned to join his father's business, Don Bartlett Construction, as the third generation in the trade. He worked with his father from the time he graduated high school until Don's retirement.
During the 1980s recession, Dave worked with Pepsi-Cola as a route salesman. He made many lifelong poker-buddy friends and spoke fondly of those years, driving around northeast Iowa. He was a committed hard worker in everything he did.
Dave took over the family business in 2000, renaming it "Dave Bartlett Construction." His and his father's reputation for building some of the highest quality homes in the Cedar Valley is disputed by no one.
On August 12, 2006, Dave married Suzanne Parrish Glascock in Hilton Head, South Carolina. They embarked on one adventure after another, often with reckless abandon. Highlights included travel, often involving exploration of local outdoor adventures, development of a taste for great red wine, and the ability to sit for hours talking and laughing as the soul mates they were.
Dave's lifelong dream was to build his own home, which he accomplished in 2008. Some of his favorite features included his curved staircase and intricate details but, mostly, he cherished his prized curved bar and wine cellar downstairs.
The diagnosis of Stage IV Lung Cancer on December 2, 2008 cast an enormous blow to Dave and his family. Although not a smoker, Dave was found to have a tumor containing the EGFR mutation. Spread to brain and bones meant the remainder of his life would be spent enduring difficult treatment. This would include various regimens of chemotherapy, radiation and a drug called Tarceva, which was specific to his type of cancer. Throughout his battle, Dave's determination and resolve never wavered. Those who knew him closest can vouch that he never complained. He fought until the day of his death, which remained true to his vow. His life is indebted to the incredible medical care provided by Dr. Katherine Pisters at MD Anderson in Houston, Dr. Mark Smith at the University of Iowa and, most profoundly, by Dr. Joginder Singh of Waterloo. It was his wife's promise that he would receive the best available care and maintain a high quality of life in the process. He continued to work and run his business until the very end.
A family man, Dave was certifiably the best husband, father and step-father his family could ever wish for. He is so greatly, incredibly missed and will forever remain an indelible imprint upon the lives of his loved ones. His public cancer struggle has empowered and inspired many who had never met him.
Dave was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Orville and Christina Kettman and his paternal grandparents, Kenneth and Mary Bartlett. He is survived by his parents, his wife, Suzy, children Nick (Kristine) Bartlett of Maple Grove, MN; Sara (Dan) Athman of Watkins, MN, Tom Bartlett of Cedar Falls, step-children John and Elise Glascock, at home, grandchildren Evan and Elena Bartlett, siblings Brenda (Mark) Knutson of Waterloo, Mike (June) Bartlett of Waterloo, Nancy (Glenn) Ivers of Winterset, IA, as well as nieces and nephews Brian, Christina, Angela, Andrea, Sean, Abbie, Jacob and Joe.
A life of service to others, quality workmanship, integrity, honesty, generosity, faith, love, and humor are attributes which define Dave Bartlett--a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. His valiant fight to remain with his loved ones was testament to these traits. He, himself, summarized it best in his last mortal words, "I love you. I did what I could."