David Peter Learned, age sixty-three, of Ann Arbor, Michigan passed away on May 5, 2024, just fifteen days after diagnosis of metastatic lung cancer.
He was born on August 30, 1960, in Wilmington, North Carolina, and predeceased by his parents, Daniel Charles and Polly Ann (Vliet) Learned.
David obtained his bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Michigan.
He served in the United States Navy as an air traffic controller at NAS New Orleans, on the USS Kittyhawk CV-63, and the USS Independence CV-62, reaching the rank of AC-2.
After retiring from the Navy, Dave worked as a sales manager in San Francisco and Michigan, until he retired in 2018. In his last position, he worked in the tax and accounting sector at Thomson Reuters and retired from ProQuest, a division of which moved from Thompson Reuters around the time he retired.
David’s early retirement allowed him to better enjoy his many longtime friendships with his Navy friends and sales colleagues. At the same time, he adopted a greyhound rescue dog, Popper, whom he walked 5–6 miles daily, and cared for her as every rescue pet should be loved.
As a family member, David could be counted on to lend his humor, charm, and wit to every gathering. He relished his role as uncle to six nieces and nephews, and as uncle-in-spirit to the children of his closest friends. Near or far, he could be counted on to show up for a family wedding, graduation, funeral.
David is survived by siblings: Pamela Learned Neale (Jay) of Round Hill, Virginia; Jeffrey Duncan Learned of Battle Creek, Michigan; and Douglas Allen Learned (Cindy) of Naples, Florida. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews: Tarra Learned Blakstad (Alan) of Castle Rock, Colorado; Chadwick Learned (Amy) of Paw Paw, Michigan; Michelle Nicole Noonan (B. Thomas) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Mark Robert Register (Jacqueline), of Leesburg, Virginia; Clara Learned Clark (Dylan) of Gainesville, Florida; and Peter Allen Learned of Naples, Florida. He is also survived by the uncle he was named after, Dr. David W. Learned (Muriel Lieffers), of Ann Arbor.
A private memorial service was held on July 13, 2024, at the Lake Michigan pier in St. Joseph, Michigan, a town where he spent many happy summers and holidays with his extended family of cousins. A contribution to the Greyhounds of Eastern Michigan in Dave and Popper’s names would be welcome.
Oh, I am so sorry to hear this, Learned Family!!! I wish we had known! Sending hugs and prayers to all of you!!!