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David Grant Visser
November 28th, 1957 - November 4th, 2020
November 28th, 1957 - November 4th, 2020
"It doesn't have a mother or a father, I can fix it" "What is the difference between Jam and Jelly?" "Act like a civilized *** human being"
SAVANNAH, GA, USA – David Grant Visser (62) died November 4, 2020, at Candler Hospital in the care of nurses and doctors of the ICU. At 10:08 pm, he peacefully passed in the loving arms of his wife, Elsie.
He was born on November 28, 1957, in Pretoria, South Africa. He grew up in Pretoria and Mooi River and graduated high school at Pretoria Central Technicon.
He finished his degree at the University of South Africa in Business Management Systems. He further completed his Aircraft Electrical Systems apprenticeship at Atlas Aviation. Although David didn't serve in the military, he served the military as a key civilian specialist and continued his career supporting various air vehicles for the South African Air force. He was one of the first flight test instrumentation engineers on the Rooivalk Attack Helicopter.
David and his family immigrated to Toronto, Canada in March 1998 to work for Bombardier in the flight test department. During this time, David and his family accepted the diversity visa to become citizens of the United States of America. In September 1999, he and his family moved to Wichita, Kansas, where he was fortunate enough to continue his career working for the flight test center at Bombardier Learjet. During his 18-year career at Bombardier, he worked on various aircraft. David and Elsie then moved to Savannah to join the flight test team at Gulfstream in May 2016.
David is survived by his wife, Elsie Visser (64), of Savannah; his son Grant Visser (41), and his grandsons Collin Visser (11) and Mason Visser (8) of Dallas, Texas; his daughter and daughter-in-law, Genevieve (39) and Lynn Howitz (36), and his granddaughters Hannah Howitz (5) and Payton Howitz (11 months) of Cincinnati, Ohio.
David might have been a thorn in our side at times, but he left a hole in our hearts. His legacy will forever live on in all of us. We will never forget you or let your grandchildren forget the sacrifice you made for a brighter future for your family. We find peace knowing you are in your happy place with a drink in your hand, listening to music as loud as you can, eating chocolate, no outstanding little projects, no work, no worries, taking pictures, and reminding us to focus on the important things.
David's happiest times were when he was one with nature. As a living tribute, the family requests friends and loved ones plant flowers or trees in his memory. Due to the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the lockdown, the family selected to have a virtual memorial.
Also if you prefer to share private photos or stories please email the family at usavisser@gmail.com.
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Tributes
Share a favorite memory, send condolences, and honor David’s life with a heartfelt message.
Collin Visser
I miss grandfather dearly and have wished everyday from the day he died 4 years ago that this was just a mistake but I realize that my grandfather has passed on to a better place and that right now he is caring for his late dog Stones spoiling him and feeding him lots of biltong and chocolates
Nancy Barber-Chase
I've struggled trying to find the right words to best capture the spectrum of feelings I've experienced since learning of David's passing. I will do my best here to articulate all I'm feeling. I will inevitably fall short. To Dave's family: I am so very sorry. I hope these tributes help lift you up during this sad time. David was so proud to be a husband, a father, and a grandfather. I hope your sorrow today will give way to powerful and fond memories of his love for you. To my FTI colleagues and friends: the knowledge and wisdow Dave shared will forever influence us as professionals. David hated laziness! While this often created more dissonance than we wanted, Dave's passion for a job well-done was infectious. I know this loss impacts work during an already difficult year. Stay strong. You were Dave's work family, and he was so fond of us all. Yes, he struggled to show it sometimes :), but we learned his love language was hard work, commitment, and dedication to trying to make us all smarter and better. And last, to Dave: my heart is heavy, my Friend. I still remember the golf outing when you came without clubs, the softball game when you ran the wrong direction, and so many little examples that make me laugh. I mention those not to poke fun, but to point out a truth: you cared less about being the best and more about being part of a team. What I learned about you over the years is just how important it was for you to be present, to appreciate the fellowship, and to be a good human, I recall your first week when you introduced yourself and told me you were still growing, improving, and changing as a professional. It seemed so random! But I came to understand what you meant. You drove me nuts, Dave! Like, really. This, I told you often. What I didn't say is that you also touched my heart. The way you spoke of your children and grandchildren. The stories about Stones and the way you'd light up when you told them. The little things you did for me because you noticed it mattered to me- like a note on my desk or bringing me coffee just because. Your passing is a cutting loss, David. We are all better for having had you as part of our professional journey. Please know that while I fussed and fussed at you to be easier, gentler on everyone, I absolutely knew you'd be the first one should any of us need a hand. I'm sorry I didn't tell you this more often. Know this, Friend: I miss you already. Nancy
Grant Visser
Please check out the "David Cheers" Video on the Mementos section of the page. (or on youtube https://youtu.be/RfyKAVj9T4A)
Mike Porter
Elsie, Grant and Gen. I just learned of Dave’s passing just yesterday. I am so saddened to learn of a loss of a friend. May he Rest In Peace May God be with you in these troubling times. I will always remember Dave’s wit, humor and stubbornness. That defined him and provided a legacy. Please let me know if I can do anything for your family. Miss ya dude!
Marc Van Den Berg
What a shock, I’m still trying to wrap my head around this, but then during brief conversation with Genevieve, Grant and Elsie and all the emotional turmoil I remind myself this was Dave. To Elsie, Grant, Genevieve, family and friends our sincere condolences. “Farewell not Goodbye, gone from our sight but never from our memories” … the Visser way. Dave will be dearly missed, he touched so many lives in as many differing ways – husband, father, grandfather, true friend, pier, mentor, pioneer, adventurer or just the guy that shot from the hip, always respectful and willing to go the extra mile. David Visser, Jou Bliksem! “Lang may yer lum reek” translated - Long may your chimney smoke Fond Memories – My journey with Dave started in the mid 80’s, I took a position in the same department where Dave was a senior technologist in the aviation flight test environment working mainly on military aircraft. Oh my, little did I know that at that particular point in time, in all God’s creation, how my life was about to change. I am sure you have all had ‘Visser encounters’ … I mean memories. I dearly remember that from day one Dave never asserted himself as the ‘I’m in charge or I am the senior you need to do this or that kinda guy.’ Instead Dave was there to help and guide. His infectious nature was magnetizing and soon our families became friends and more Dave adventures were about to begin, never a dull moment in Dave’s company. Somehow our lives always stayed entwined, he moved his family to Canada and then to the US to which my family and I also immigrated in the late 90’s. We have remained friends for what seems forever, and I have been fortunate to continue Dave experiences all this time. It was during this previous life and our hectic work schedule which unintentionally influenced our personal and home lives that Dave decided to adapt a “modified living style” that would bring back some sanity, meaning and calmness to his family and those around him. Call it what you want but basically, he would come home on a Friday night and they would be permitted to do nothing but relax in each other’s company. I really mean nothing but family time – No TV, No Lights, NO NOTHING but family time and if you were fortunate to visit with them on these Friday nights you would have to endure. Ultimately I think he was recovering from a hangover, because during our crazy work schedule we would go to the aviation club / pub on Thursday after work and have a hell of a good time and have to be at work early Friday not having enough time to recover, you know what I mean. Dave also lived a “Karma” like life approach and would always share with anyone who would listen to the philosophy that ‘the result of a person's actions as well as the actions themselves is about the sequence of cause and effect, what happens to a person happens because they caused it with their actions, it is not about punishment or reward’ Dave lived his life by this principle and to me that portrays David Visser, he will always be remembered by his actions. A good heart has stopped beating, a good soul ascended to his happy place, enjoy the walkabout! Visser, We are going to miss you … Cheers, Marc and Elsabe
Other Comments
I only met David once and of all people from an entire South African community, he was the only one that left a beautiful mark on my life. Thank you for all your kind insightful words. May you rest in peace, and continue enjoying your journey. Cheers for now. - Jeannine Garnett
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