David Engford

David Engford, 78, of Baraboo, Wisconsin peacefully passed away in his sleep on Friday, November 26. David was survived by his wife of 43 years, Mona (Trapp) Engford; his only child, Mollie (Engford) Roehl and her husband Scott; his sister Ruthie (Engford) Clark and her husband Frank; and his grandchildren, Carter Roehl (10) and Audrey Roehl (8). He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Engford and Lois (Espenscheid) Engford.

David was born on April 19, 1943 into a performing family, the Engford Family Shows. The show specialized in gymnastics, aerial, music, and several other art forms. While David was not an active performer, he would practice with the act and work behind the scenes. David really enjoyed practicing walking the wire, and for several years, he practiced as a catcher in a flying trapeze act for some friends of the family. David's father (Harry Engford) lived by the rule that practice and perfecting your chosen art was the most important thing you did every day, so we all practiced.

David also practiced drums for several years, but his real love was the guitar. The entire family played instruments, but David loved his guitar. David had a special bond with his grandfather, Robert Engford. As a boy, his grandfather would say to him, "Come on, David, let's talk the thing over". Then they would go out and sit together on the porch swing. At Heritage Park in Plover, Wisconsin, where the Engford House is restored, there is a plaque on the porch swing that refers to this.

David spent the last 43 years of his life with his wife, Mona, in Baraboo where they raised their only child, Mollie. David loved and supported his family tirelessly. He spent over thirty years working as a very successful over the road truck driver. David had a passion for cars, especially Ford, and he enjoyed tinkering with his collector cars. Later in life, David enjoyed teaching his grandson how to play chess and debating politics as well as other topics among family and friends. He loved the challenge of changing others' minds about a topic!

David was a good person. In a way, he was shy, yet stubborn in what he believed. When David was home, the door was always open to anyone who wanted to talk things over a cup of coffee. He will be missed beyond belief by those he loved and those who loved him.