David H. Dodson, a longtime industry professional and U.S. Army veteran, passed away peacefully at home in Ripon, Wisconsin, on April 29, 2025. He was 72.
David began his career serving in the U.S. Army’s tank division and later worked with the Department of Defense before retiring from government service. In the early 1990s, he joined Derse’s Milwaukee office as part of the field services department. He later worked in audio-visual services at United Audio Visuals, drawing on his earlier experience as a DJ.
After UAV closed, David stepped away from the industry but stayed connected with colleagues. Several years later, he returned as an account manager at Coastal International, where he worked until his retirement. He stepped back to care for his wife, Ruth, who was dealing with ongoing back issues. The couple later moved to Ripon to be closer to their grandchild.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth; his mother; and a sister. His passing marks the loss of the last of her three sons. A small local service with a casket was held prior to cremation.
A military funeral service with a 21-gun salute is scheduled for Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Terry Baptist Church in Terry, Mississippi. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation at www.t2t.org, an organization David supported.
