David C Whipple

David Charles Whipple, 72, of Port Huron, passed away on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.

He was born on June 26, 1951 in Port Huron to the late Charles and Cynthia Whipple. Dave graduated from Grosse Pointe High School where he was renowned for his role as the bassist in his band, The Chances Are. He completed his undergraduate education at Michigan State University and was a lifelong Spartan. He obtained his Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School where he met his wife, Janice Carol Ulseth. They were married and sworn into the State Bar of Michigan together as the first couple in St. Clair County. Upon marriage, Dave returned to Port Huron, his hometown of five generations. There, he practiced law for 40 years, focusing on business law/organization, health care law, and business mediation/arbitration. He understood how businesses worked and was a businessman himself, namely co-founding Online Access, an internet technology company. He helped dozens of businesses and hundreds of people through his thoughtful deliberation, wise advice, and heart-led counsel. He served the community as a servant leader, variously taking on the presidencies of the St. Clair County Bar Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Blue Water Council of Boy Scouts. He also sat on the Board of Port Huron Hospital (now McLaren), coached Little League, served on the Vestry of Grace Episcopal Church, and was Chairman of the Board of the St. Clair County Library System.

Dave shared countless adventures with his family, traveling together to the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics, touring Hong Kong, houseboating in India, cruising in the Caribbean, and golfing in Scotland. For his kids, he modeled how to balance a meaningful career with being a present parent, whether he was driving to speed skating lessons or heading to a hockey tournament. He loved boating the lakes with Janice, playing catch with friends, reading science fiction, and golfing (which he liked except for when he didn’t). Dave was loving, principled, and committed to his community. He was always trying to be a better man today than he was yesterday.

Dave thoughtfully invested in innumerable friendships throughout every part of his life, including his mischievous childhood friends, treasured band mates, trusted law partners, dear potluck friends, fellow hospital executives, Online Access co-conspirators, and golf buddies, among many others. He was always the person to make the plans and get the group together.

Surviving him specifically are his wife of 45 years, Janice Carol; children, Meredith (Liz) Whipple Callahan and Dan (Lane) Whipple; grandchildren, Andersen Charles Whipple, Elliott Claire Whipple Callahan, and Hugh Archer “Hawk” Whipple Callahan; brother, Jim (Janice) Whipple; sister, Betsy (Tom) Appleman; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and godchildren. Dave was preceded in death and now joined with his parents, Charles and Cynthia Whipple.

Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 2, 2024 at Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home, 1720 Elk St, Port Huron.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Grace Episcopal Church, 1213 Sixth St., Port Huron.

Inurnment will follow at Lakeside Cemetery, Port Huron.

In memory of Dave (and in lieu of flowers), donations can be made to the David Charles Whipple Fund through the St. Clair County Community Foundation. Funds are intended to support Dave’s final passion project, scaling up the distribution of chemo relief kits through the McLaren Hospital system. (Even in his last days, Dave was focused on supporting others.) Checks may be made out to “Community Foundation” with "David Whipple" in the memo line and sent to 500 Water Street, Port Huron, MI 48060. Online contributions can be made here https://stclairfoundation.org/remembering-our-friend-dave-whipple/