Dr. David Ray Tebbenkamp

July 4, 1950 - October 1, 2018

David Ray Tebbenkamp, 68, father, mentor, and dear friend, passed away on October 1, 2018. He enjoyed his final years in retirement surrounded by family as a resident of Blacksburg, Va. Born July 4th, 1950, to Evelyn and Wallace Tebbenkamp, David enjoyed growing up on his family’s farm in Salisbury, Mo raising corn and cattle, breeding dogs, and playing music and basketball with lifelong friends. He attended MU in Columbia in the Fall of 1968 and graduated from UMKC as a Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1975. In 1973, he married Patricia Avery with whom he moved to Konnarock, Va upon graduation. With the support of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, the couple answered a calling to serve the community's need for dental healthcare. He continued to practice for 37 years, retiring in 2012. David’s passion and enthusiasm for dentistry was always evident as he delighted in his patients and became an integral contributor to the Appalachian community he so loved. He designed and built an earth-sheltered house and office in the mountains where he truly made his home. He loved the mountains where he enjoyed hobbies including woodworking, gardening, auto restoration, raising fish and dogs, driving mountain roads, and playing music, all in reflection of his optimism and appreciation for God’s creation. Above all David was a devoted and engaged father, giving generously of his time and resources to his children and their community of friends, mentoring young diabetics, basketball players, and neighbors, instilling values of Family, Faith, Love, Devotion and leading by example with his appreciation for nature, art and music. He will be remembered for his brilliant smile and generous heart. David is survived by his adoring children, son Justin Neil Tebbenkamp, daughter-in-law Julie Anderson Tebbenkamp, grandchildren Gracie Anne and Jackson Neil Tebbenkamp of Blacksburg, Va, and daughter Jill Tebbenkamp, grandchildren Waylon David and Ella Avery Shapowal of Charlottesville, Va. He is also survived by sister Rosemary Cowan of Union, Mo, sister-in-law Rhonda Tebbenkamp of Salisbury, Mo, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Evelyn and Wallace Tebbenkamp, brothers Daryl Tebbenkamp and Neil Tebbenkamp, and sister Sharon Sooter. A gathering of friends will take place on Thursday, October 4, 2018 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Garrett Funeral Home with a Celebration of Life Service to follow at 8:00 PM in the Riverview Chapel at Garrett Funeral Home with Pastor Scott Obenchain officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution online to spcai.org or jdrf.org. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.garrettfuneralhome.com. Dr. Tebbenkamp and his family are in the care of Garrett Funeral Home, 203 N. Shady Ave., Damascus, VA 24236; ph.#: 276-475-3631.