David George Spoerke Jr

David George Spoerke Jr, age 77, died on February 27, 2025. He was born on February 8, 1948 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin to David George Spoerke St and Billie Mae Harris Spoerke. He graduated from Goodrich High School and then attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison. In 1971 he graduated from the University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy and went on to obtain a Master's degree in Clinical Pharmacy in 1972. He was elected to Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society as an undergraduate and to Rho Chi, academic honor society for pharmacy.

In June of 1970, David married the girl who sat behind him in their college chemistry class: Susan Elizabeth "Betsy" Zeff. That was the beginning of a most astonishing lifetime together. After graduate school, they moved to Salt Lake City where David connected to the Intermountain Regional Poison Control Center. Over the subsequent 10 years he became a plant toxicologist and published his first book, Herbal Medications. He also became a proud father of two sons.

In 1984, David and the family moved to Lakewood, Colorado where he took a position at Denver's Rocky Mountain Poison Control Center. He became an associate editor of Poisindex where he wrote managements of poisonings which are used in emergency rooms all over the world. He co-authored a scientific book, Toxicity of Houseplants, and wrote numerous journal articles as well. In 1986, he was asked to speak at an International Congress on Toxicology in Brussels, Belgium.

David loved to fish. With family and friends he fished many places, from Alaska to the Sea of Cortez; his favorite was a fishing hole in northern Wisconsin. He also greatly enjoyed hunting for deer, elk, and antelope. Playing with the family dogs, hiking, wildflower photography, mushroom hunting, and bird watching were also happy pastimes. He helped his sons with soccer, baseball, and basketball. He himself, played countless softball games over many years and it was rare for him to miss a football game on TV.

David is survived by his wife Betsy MD; his sons, Erik PhD (Martha PhD) pf Albuquerque, NM and Nick MD (Sharon MD) of Reno, NV; and three granddaughters, Lily, Anneke, and Heidi. He is also survived by his sisters, Sally Loy of Sun Prairie, WI and Barbara (Tom) Dolan of Fond du Lac, WI; along with nieces, nephews, cousins and an uncle, Ralph (Sally) Spoerke of Fond du Lac, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Douglas Loy.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, March 29th at 11am at the Horan & McConaty Arvada Chapel, followed by a luncheon.