God's greatest gift to me was a baby brother and now he is gone.
Every extra day from David's 1st liver transplant in September 1981 until yesterday was also God's gift.
In the end, it was David's time. He had weathered so much and so many challenges, but the toll on his body was too much for him to complete the surgery.
He died on the table, of heart failure. His doctors had succesfully removed his old liver and put the new one in, but weren't able to get things going. There were problems with his portal vein, and with his pancreas. They did everything they could to get his organs working together, but in the end his heart just gave out.
The members of David's transplant team are still our heroes.
The funeral and burial will be in Grand Rapids this week. I will provide more details as I have them.
Please pray for David's family, especially his wife Sara, daugther Rachael, and his sons Nathan and Caleb. They will need all of God's strength in the coming days.
Until there's somewhere else to do it, please use this blog as an online condolence book.
Thank you so much for your love and support.
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67 comments:
David Yomtoob was the first "baby brother" I had any experience with, as he was my friend Ben's baby brother, and I have known Ben since I was 6 or 7. I can't remember a single time growing up when David wasn't around with a smile and a positive outlook on everything. Years later I dealt with him briefly, as he was trying to put some advertising together for his computer business. I again walked away from our meeting impressed with his "never quit" attitude. David was a positive inspiration to me as a kid and again as an adult, God Bless him and his family.
May your memories of David's strength and faith be your comfort during this time.
May God's grace and mercy be with you and your family.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
The Janisch Family
Jim, Karen, Samantha & Haley
Dear Dr. Joe and the entire Yomtoob Family,
I was so saddened to learn of David's passing. He was a brave person and went through so much.
His journey will be a peaceful one now.
I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time and always.
May God be with you and give you strength to face whatever comes in the following days and in the future.
My love and prayers to all of you.
Mari Kuehl - Hawthorn Middle South
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this bittersweet loss of David's wonderful life--how blessed he was to receive more than a second chance at life! We rejoice with you that David is no longer suffering and is now enjoying eternal life with His Maker. Keeping you all in prayer for God's strength, love, and comfort.
Our love to you all,
Mike and Holly Kalling
Dear Dr. Joe and family,
I am so sorry about the loss of your son, brother, husband, father. My prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time. May the loving memories of David comfort you.
God be with you.
Peg Romberg
Benjamin,
I was so sad to hear of David's death.
I remember him mostly as a very young boy since I babysat him and Rebecca when they were very young. He was happy and very active! (Most 3 year old boys are!)
Please give your entire family my condolences in your loss.
Anita (Miars) Schultz
Jim's Sister
My heart goes out to the entire Yomtoob family. David's passing occured on the same date that I lost my dear brother, 5 years ago. The pain will slowly end, but the happy memories will live forever. How blessed you all are to have 3 precious children to keep David's memories alive. Thank you for sharing his gift with the entire Hawthorn Family. My deepest sympathy - Rhonnie Bogenschutz, Middle South
May God be with you and your family during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
My deepest condolences,
-Suzy Choi (Elem. North)
My prayers go out to the entire Yomtoob family. My sister LeeAnn Hilligoss and cousin Jim Millin were very good friends with David and are very sad to hear of David's passing. I will always remember David's sweet and gentle nature. May God bless you and keep the entire family in the palm of His hands and may He give you all the strength to carry on David's legacy.
love and prayers
Ben: I was saddened to hear of David's passing from my brother Gregg. My thoughts and prayers are with you and his family. Kind regards, Laura Galbato (Anderson)
Ben, on behalf of your friends at InterCall, we are very sorry for the loss of your brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Please accept our condolences at passing of David. He was very special. May G_d give you strength and comfort during this difficult time. Aghaki family
Dr. Joe and Family,
I just received the sad news about David. My thoughts and prayers go out to you, Paricher, David's wife, children and all your family at this very difficult time.
Sib Myers
(A former District Damsel)
Dear Dr. Joe and Family,
While I never met your son, David, I am aware of his story of courage. I know David has been an inspiration to many people throughout his short life here on Earth.
I cannot imagine how I would feel if one of my children preceded me in death. It's not suppose to be this way.
My sincerest thoughts and prayers are with you and David's family during this difficult time. May God be with all of you.
Maureen Berzanski
Dear Family,
We are all with you, praying and thinking about you.
with Love,
Yom-Tov Family.
Dr. Joe and Family:
I am so sorry to hear of David's passing. As this is a most difficult time for all of you. My heart, thoughts and prayers go to you and each member of your family. May all of you find great comfort within the love, support, and strength of David's memories and your family.
Blessing and prayers to your entire family, Jennifer Heavrin & Family
Dr. Joe and Family: I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved family member. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. David must have felt the incredible amount of love he had from his family and friends. I wish you strength and love while going through this difficult ordeal. I am sure, in time, memories will offer some comfort.
With heartfelt condolences,
Jan Adelman Middle South
To all the Yomtoob family,
As Sara's best friend, I was extremely saddened to hear of David's passing. I know this will be very difficult for the whole family and I will do everything I can to help them all during this time.
I was there for Sara and David's wedding and the births of all of their children. Theirs is a very special family and David was a very special member of it.
My love and prayers go out to the entire Yomtoob family and to the friends and coworkers who comprised their extended family.
Rachael Gruis
Ben, I don't recall ever meeting David, so I can't share any memories, but Andy and I both send our condolences to you and the rest of your family. It sounds like he fought the good fight, but as I've learned from 10 years of taking care of ill children, our spirits are much stronger than our bodies. I'm sure David's spirit will live on in his children and in the minds and hearts of all who love him.
Dear Yomtoob Family,
How blessed David was to have you all around him supporting him with your love and constant acts of kindness! I also babysat for David occasionally when he was very small. My memories of him are dimmed by time, yet I still remember his radiant smile! How proud he must have been of you all: a beautiful loving wife and mother of his 3 gorgeous children, a loving, supportive mom and dad and devoted brother and sister. I pray that God will hold you all up through this time of loss and grief.
Joanie Miars Gentry
Dear Dr. Joe and Family,
I am so saddened to learn of David's passing. My heart breaks for you, as I know how much he meant to you all. Please accept my deepest sympathy. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Wendy Giovanetto
Aspen Elementary
Dr. Joe,
Words cannot describe how sorry I am to hear about David. He was a courageous and determined man. I know how proud of him you have always been. He was a fighter just like his father. May he rest in peace.
My thoughts are with you and your family.
Eileen Conway
Ben,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Robyn Burkes
Dear Parichehr Joe and all yomtoob family.
Just yesterday evening we read about David operation and hoped for the best.
This morning we got the very sad massage about David.
We know that David fought for his life until the last moment and you did every thing you can to support him. Our thoughts and prayers with all during the "shiva ".
" O-seh sholom bimromov
Hu ya-aseh sholom
Oleynu v'al kol yisroe-eyl
V'imru omeyn."
Fride and Yhudai families
Elana and Shmulik .
Avital , yaniv and nadav .
Gilad and yaara .
Adi .
Dear Dr. Joe and Family,
We were so saddened to hear of David's passing. All of you have gone through so much with courage, strength, faith, and love for one another. Let us remember the best lessons of David's life and do in like manner. Your will be in our thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.
Jean (Aspen School) and John Nelson
I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your son. David will live on in the hearts of everyone who loved him.
My deepest condolences,
Irina Mats - Townline Elementary
I didn't know David well but can remember seeing him in the halls of Albion High School, he always had a smile on his face. Rebecca, you and your family are in my families thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Becky (Hasse) Benjamin and Family
Marcia and I offer our condolences to a brave and good family for a brave and good young man, David.
Henry P. Kaplan, M.D.
I was deeply saddened to hear of David's passing. I met him in Miami when I was there visiting my sister Kathryn as they both endured with strength and fortitude the rigors of transplantation and recovery. David's life was a manifestation of the virtues of faith, courage, and perseverance, on his part and on that of his family. And, as a pioneer in the arena of liver transplantation, his successes enabled hundreds to follow in his footsteps and lead happy, fulfilling lives after transplantation. His children will grow up proud of what he accomplished, for himself and for others.
- Jay Smith, Atlanta, Georgia
From reading the blog and talking to Ben, it sounds like David had a great life and had made life great for others. My prayers and thoughts are with the Yomtoobs and their extended family.
MTG
My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family.
Deepest condolences,
Diane Krueger
May memories of the wonderful times you shared with David bring you gentle comfort.
Melissa Sabin
Townline School
Dear Dr. Joe and Family,
I am so sorry about the loss of your son. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
Robin O'Connor
I am so sorry about the loss of your son. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
phil siembal
Dear Yomtoob Family,
I am saddened to hear of David's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you for the loss of your son.
Jessica Bayliss
Townline
Dr. Joe and the Yomtoob Family,
We were deeply saddened to hear of the death of your son David. We know that he was a true fighter through this journey and that he did so with great strength. We recall the fondness for which you spoke of David and his family during our SIA visit in San Diego this past summer. Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this most difficult time.
Jeff and Tammy Butts
M.S.D. of Wayne Township
Indianapolis, IN
I am so sorry for your loss. I too have lost a husband, and a son, to illness - and not wish this black hole of sorrow on anyone. However, you will get up everyday, you will continue to live, because there is no other choice. To continue to live, to survive with a heartache, and laugh again, is honoring those who have gone before us. If I could bear this burden for you I would, it is hard to do what you must to honor them. But David honored all of you by living his life with dignity through his struggles, you can do no less for him. It will be hard, but he will always be there to wrap his love around you when it is your darkest time. He is always there with you in his siblings faces, his wife's eyes, and in his children's laughter.
Ben,
I was saddened to hear of your family's enormous loss - David seemed like a great man and a great brother whom you obviously cherished immensely. Please know that you and your family are in our hearts and prayers during the troubling times now and ahead, and hope you can find some solace in the coming holiday season, and in knowing David lived a great life with a wonderful family.
The Smith Family
Clint, Brande, and Madison
We were so sad to hear this news. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Alison (Roush) Sanger, Stephen, Amelia & Audrey
Neither David or the family know me.I have wilsons disease, and I only recently became aware that David was unwell again.
My condolences to the family, and you may be able to smile one day at the thought of what an inspiration he has been. What a wonderful positive character.
Thankyou for allowing strangers such as me to share his story.
Bel (in Australia)
Dr. Joe and Family,
From what I know through David's father, he was a strong and courageous man. David's spirit will live on through the effect he has had on the hearts of many. May God be with all of you at this difficult time.
Terri Barclay
Townline Elementary School
I learned of David medical condition several years ago while staying with Ben and Laura in Chicago. At that time things were going well for David and Ben was optimistic. As Ben related David's long and difficult story I could see how proud he was of his brother and how much he admired David's perseverance and courage. Such qualities live far beyond his passing.
My deepest condolences to the entire Yomtoob family.
John Schlagheck and family
Dear Dr. Joe and Family,
I am very sorry for your loss of David. His strength was great, he fought for a long time. His memory will live on in you. May peace be with your entire family.
Valerie and Norm Cohen
On behalf of the entire Saint Mary's College community our thoughts and prayers are with you for comfort and support. Be assured that the life that David's body could not sustain is being nourished and strengthened in heaven by our almighty God.
Sincerely,
Jeff Roberts
Career Services
Saint Mary's College
May you all find peace, comfort and courage. We hold you in our prayers.
John and Lynn Brandl and family
I am truly sorry for your loss. I remember going over to the Yomtoob's house and I used to do some house cleaning and did some babysitting. David always was a kind and loving person. I also remember him walking down the street to the same bus stop. I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers. Many blessings and prayers . . .
Dear Yomtoob Family,
I had recently read of David's need for a fourth liver transplant and like you I was hoping for a miracle. I left for a family bris in Bethesda, MD, this past weekend and returned to find email that David had died.
Please accept my deepest sympathy. Having met David, Joe, and Paricher at the last couple of WDA annual conferences, I know of his valiant struggle and positive attitude. I am so sorry for all of you.
Sincerely,
Ellen Freedman
Jacksonville, FL
My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time. Enjoy all of your wonderful memories of David and share them with one another.
Amy Blake
Kaneland John Stewart Elementary
Dr. Joe and family,
We were so saddened to hear of the loss of your beloved son David. Our hearts go out to the entire Yomtoob family. May David rest in peace, and all the wonderful memories will live inside you all for life. Again, our deepest condolences.
The Lebovitz Family
Middle School South & Townline
Dear Dr. Joe and Family,
No words can convey the sympathy
that is felt for you and your family in your great loss. May the memory of David and all that he has meant to you bring you strength and comfort at this time of sorrow. We will keep you
in our thoughts and prayers.
Nina Ferolo
Elementary North
Dear Dr. Joe, Parichehr and the entire Yomtoob family,
I was so saddened to hear the news about David's passing. My heart just ached with the thought of losing a son, a brother, a husband, a father and a friend. May you be comforted by your Faith and experience a peace beyond all understanding as you accept God's plan for your family. Please know that in your heart David will live forever.
You are in my prayers,
Lizz (Aspen School) and Gerry Verbeten
Dr. Joe and Family
Our hearts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time. David's strength and strong will were examples for all. I know David was blessed to have such a supportive and caring family just as we were blessed to have David inspire us for so many years.
God Bless.
The Batson's - Jim, Mimi, Ashely, Jared and Lauren
Dr. Joe and Family,
Please accept our heartfelt sympathy. Your loss is tremendous after a long battle.
May G-d keep your family in his embrace and help you through these challenging times.
Shalom Alaichem.
The Achlers
Dear Dr. Joe and Family:
We send our condolences about this deeply saddened news. Hang in there and may God be with us.
Anonymous
thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this time of need. David's story is really a miracle, one that gives hope and inspires. His children will know what an amazing father they have and know how he has inspired all. May god be with you
the jimenez family
townline school/jonathon jimenez in ms. lipperts class
Dr. Joe, Parichehr and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. David's strength and the strength of the entire family are an inspiration to all of us. May God be with you and help you find peace through the difficult days ahead.
Karen Cencula
Dr. Joe: My thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time of your life. May the prayers of family and friends help to find peace.
Dear Dr. Joe and Yomtoob family,
Losing David after all he had been through is a terrible loss. While
David's was a life cut short, he left you all with memories of his joys, sorrows, and his courage. Because of these memories, his presence will last a lifetime.
Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of David in your lives. May God give you strength during this difficult time.
Maynard and Sheryl Kabak
Dear Dr. Yomtoob and the entire Yomtoob family, our family's thoughts and prayers are with you.
David and I have not been in contact for some time now, but as so many have already shared his smile and passion for life was contagious. He endured so much with bravery and a positive outlook. The strength and love of his family always helped him through all challenges he faced.
Dr. and Mrs. Yomtoob you have always been so kind, genuine and passionate. My family's deepest sympathy goes out to you.
The Bitar Family
Mike, Tina, Alec, Zak & Nate
My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family. May the memories of David bring you comfort during this difficult time.
Mindy Lamberti
Townline School
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. May your membories of David give you comfort and may God give you and your family the strength in the days ahead.
Dear Yomtoob family,
Our family is saddened for your loss.What you and David went through was not a small thing.
Loosing a loved one especially someone so young is very sad.
We also lost one of our children,our second son,Jonathan in 1992.
We extend our sympathy to you.God bless David and your whole family.
The Abraham family
Ted,Bridget T.J.,Patrick and Michael
I was a classmate of David's and my Mom and Aunt were Dr. Yomtoob's employees (Bette Jann & Nancy Nimtz). David truly inspired me with his willing to fight to live. His Bar Mitzpah was so emotional and I am blessed to have been able to part take in such a joyous event in David and the Yomtoob's Family. Thank you....David will never be forgotten. To his wife and little ones...bless you and know that David will always be with you in your heart. Please find peace in knowing that David is now pain free. My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Yomtoob Family. I am going to open my copy of The Gift of Life and read it again. Love, Christine (Jann) Hilfinger & Family
My Deepest Condolances, I had only met David recently while bowling, but he always seemed to have a smile on his face.
May God be with you.
Bobbi Milton
Dr. Joe and entire family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I know the feeling of losing a loved one and I am happy to say that my brother(22) was an organ donor. Sometimes things don't go as we plan but they will forever live in our hearts. I pray for your family to get through these tough times and hope that all of our prayers get all of you through. It is very difficult to lose a son, brother, husband, or father but always remember there are a lot of people out there praying and willing to help with anything any of you need. David has made an impact on many lives and many more that didn't ever have the chance to meet him. Peace Be With You All!!!
Heidi Duncan- First Midwest Bank
Sabrina Vasquez-Middle North
Steven Frillman-Mailman for Townline
Dear Dr. Joe, Paricheher, David's loving wife Sara & children,
Our prayers were with you during the crisis of David's most recent illness and are with you now in his passing. May God's peace be your light in the days and nights ahead-
Laura and Tom Garvin, MVH Rotary
Oh Sara,
I would have come to support you and your family if I had known earlier. Please let me know if there is anything I can help you with. Remember that love exceeds all distances - I love you, your family loves you, and David loves you still.
As always, remember the funny little things that made all of you laugh and he will be a little closer to you.
Mental Hug, Love, CMG
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