Kern Remembered For His Commitment to Whitefish Bay

David A. Kern passed away September 1, 2013. 

Born 68 years ago in the Steel City, David A. Kern shared that character of the alloy’s strength throughout his life. 

After graduating from high school in Pittsburgh, David joined the U.S. Navy where he served during the Vietnam War from 1963 to 1967. After his service, he studied business and finance at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, which is where he met his wife, Lynne (Winke). 

David and Lynne had been married for 42 years and have three children, Amy Kern (Jettie Peters) of Milwaukee, Courtney (Aryn) Kern of Little Falls MN, and Molly Kern of Milwaukee. And there are four grandchildren, Andrew, Hannah, Tyler, and Jackson. David also had three sisters and two brothers.

David recently retired from a career in banking, having worked at Bank Mutual. His steely commitment to family and community was manifested in his involvement with the village of Whitefish Bay where he had contributed to the Milwaukee suburb’s betterment through volunteering countless hours in everything from being Commissioner of the Little League to serving as an elected school board member for 15 years. David was also equally involved in Holy Family Parish and School. 

The generosity of his giving spirit was reflected in the approximately 48 pints of blood he had donated over the years and a life-saving act: he underwent the painful process of donating his bone marrow to help save a small child.

In addition to his good nature, David will always be remembered for his appreciation of a well-crafted gin martini, his superlative photography skills, and his well-trimmed beard. The beard suited him so well that it would have been hard to imagine him ever without it (except maybe at birth, although that could be debated). 

He led a good life and spread a lot of love that ripples far beyond his passing.

(This obituary was written and submitted by David Kern's brother-in-law Jeff Winke.)