David Joseph Kirschbaum

David Joseph Kirschbaum, aged 70, passed away peacefully on December 1st, 2023, in a group home, due to his battle with cancer and dementia.

David was born March 14th, 1953 to Stephen and Katherine Kirschbaum in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After marrying his first wife, Ella Mae (Peterson), in Minnesota, David moved to California where they eventually had a son: Freeman Stephen. His career grew there, becoming youngest chief boiler engineer for the state of California at Metropolitan State Hospital.

David was preceded in death by his parents as well as his brother James and James' wife Connie.

He is survived, likely, by his sister Stephanie (Swee) and his brother, Michael Kirschbaum. He was additionally survived his son, 4 grandchildren and at least 1 ex-wife.

Unfortunately years of untreated mental health issues and substance abuse took its toll on David, costing him multiple marriages, families, friends, and jobs. He experienced a variety of ups and downs, and it seems there were more downs than ups. He found strength and community in Alcoholics Anonymous and AlAnon, where he eventually rose to a leadership role. For a time he had a positive trajectory as he focused on studying computer science technology.

This "up" was not to last, however, and eventually he found himself homeless. His mental and physical health deteriorated. He struggled with these for his remaining years often finding himself "couch surfing", staying in shelters & group homes, and occasionally incarcerated due to actions such as making terroristic threats and failing to register as a sex offender.

In his final years, David was compassionately cared for by 2 Caring Hands, receiving support as he faced cancer and dementia. In his final months he was made comfortable and monitored by St. Croix Hospice. Arrangements for David have been entrusted to Crescent Tide.

An online memorial has been set up for him here at https://www.mykeeper.com/profile/DavidKirschbaum/

In lieu of flowers, we encourage donations in David’s memory to organizations supporting homelessness and housing insecurity, mental health research, cancer research, substance and alcohol abuse prevention, and child and sexual abuse prevention.