Baltimore, Maryland
Dave taught elementary school for two years and then returned to school to obtain his BS degree in Business industry and management. At present he is working toward his Master’s degree at Johns Hopkins University.
In addition to attending school, Dave is working for Westinghouse at their Aerospace Division as an industrial engineer, and teaching adult education classes for the public schools. He would someday like to serve as a service representative for Westinghouse in the European area.
Burlington, North Carolina
As I reflect on the past fifty years I have to go back a few more. I really enjoyed my years in high school. I was so fortunate in that I got to enjoy time out on the farm with Roger and Denny. Two great guys who shared their life and work with me. I remember sitting on a tractor going down a row of corn for a quarter of a mile doing everything but paying attention to what I was out there to do. Saturday nights were a big time. It was into town and cruising with a case of beer in the back seat – never drank a lot but it was cool to be cruising with two of the hottest guys in town. Lois got one of them and he is special to say the least. He was a little wild but always a special heart and spirit. Crazy time but sooo much fun.
I would leave the dorm after lights out and have a blast spending time with them, returning Sunday night in time for Dan to give me whatever home work we had. He was the brains in my room. And what a room we did have. Name plates above our beds, special drapes made out of the bedspreads, rugs and lamp shades that would threaten a house of prostitution. 🙂 Have fond memories of our times in the dorm picking on class mates we should have never done. But that’s immaturity for you and man was I ever immature back then. But good time and memories going through high school.
Now on to what has transpired since 1961.
I returned to Baltimore to live with my parents and discover the real world. Pumped gas, worked retail, ushered at the local theater, dug graves, and then finally decided this is no good and need to go to college. University of Maryland was close by and a campus in Baltimore helped, so went back to school and got a degree.
Then it was on to the teaching profession where I taught for Baltimore Public School system. Taught elementary 3rd graders and loved it but couldn’t afford it. Worked during the summer at Bethlehem Steel making more in three months than I could in nine months, and with a family, decided to join the ranks of industry. Started with Westinghouse and worked for them about ten years in Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Pensacola (Florida). Then I moved on to Clark Equipment in Buchanan Michigan. From there I decided to start my own consulting firm in October of 1978. That ended up being my last career change and continued building the consulting practice till retirement in 2006.
Now I continue to enjoy retirement by spending time with the grandchildren, golf and a little travel. Vickie and I have three children and five grandchildren. Our oldest lives in Beijing with two beautiful girls, ages 8 years and 8 months. Our youngest lives close by in Greensboro and has three children, twins age 7 and our only male grandchild, Jasper David, age 1. Yes, he was named after both his grandfathers.
After a serious fall, Dave was hospitalized where lymphoma was discovered. He went to heaven on November 8, 2024. Here is his obituary.
David Frederick Felten
June 29, 1942, to November 8, 2024
David was born to Victor Carl and Rena Schoenbohm Felten. He was the youngest child and brother to Mary Duitsman (Jack), Catherine Startt (James), and Victoria Scharen (Albert).
As the son of a Lutheran pastor, Dave and his family lived in many parsonages throughout his childhood, as their parents were sent by the synod to minister to the local congregations. He made friends instantly and was immediately industrious in every new city. His spit shoeshine at the barber shop in Pueblo, Colorado, was famous, and he sold boats in Baltimore, opening his own business meticulously detailing and gassing the boats in the harbor, recording his efforts in his spiral pocket notebook. He had great memories of Grand Haven, Michigan, selling sweet corn to the neighbors, and of his best friends, Jack and Bill, whose family owned the Ford Dealership. David had a sharp mind and a quick wit that never waned.
After he got married, with his first child on the way, Dave worked at a funeral home, wrapped gifts at Sears, and taught math in night school to earn his master’s degree. He spent his early corporate years at Westinghouse in Pittsburgh, PA, and Pensacola, FL, and then moved to Clark Equipment in Buchanan, MI.
In 1977, David became the founder and CEO of STS International, headquartered in South Bend, IN, providing upper-level management consulting to global companies in the United States and around the world, guiding their long-term transitions to more efficient and human processes. Dave was ahead of his time and brought tremendous innovation to the fields of human resources and business operations and management. Dave pioneered organic systems and procedures 50 years ago, whose principles, strategies, and operations are still being actively implemented today.
David’s signature trait was his generosity. He was quick to step in and stand in the gap for family, friends, his church community, and even strangers. He was so loving and, like his mother Rena, loved to give ‘smooches.’
David was a prolific teacher in life, always interested in bringing everyone to the table. He was thoughtful. He was a terrific gift-giver. And he was singular in making everyone feel included and welcome.
After working so hard for so many decades, a perfect day for David was to relax on the couch with a small slice of a local apple fritter, his “honey-bunny” Vickie to his right, iPad in hand, emailing back and forth with his son and firstborn, Erik David Felten, as they analyzed the daily activity of the markets – or he would catch a Notre Dame football game and a nap!
David was married for 35 years to the love of his life Vickie (Crawford) Felten. He shared three children from a previous union, Erik Felten (Hayley), Ingrid Felten, and Gretchen Ray (Guy). David is preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Rena, and his daughter, Gretchen. David was Papaw to his grandchildren Sullivan, Memphis, Jasper, Gretchen, and Katie, as well as great-grandchild Harper. David’s sisters-in-law Glenda and Kimberly were dear family, Kimberly a very near and sweet presence.
David had scores of family, friends, and business associates who loved him dearly over the years. The family would like to especially recognize the companionship of his best friend, Jay Romans, and the kind care of his lifelong family friend, Todd Pruitt, for their help and daily support during the end of his life. The family thanks Pastor Brian Biggers for the constant check-ins during Dave’s treatment and for bringing such beauty to Dave’s homegoing celebration.