David D. Dettman, lovingly known as Dave, age 75, passed away on Friday, February 6, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on September 18, 1950, in Sterling, Illinois. Dave was the son of Lloyd Dettman and Irene (Babel) Dettman.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents; his older brother, Dennis “Denny” Dettman (survived by his wife Debbie and children); and his younger sister, Dennice Dettman Rohrbaugh (survived by her children). He is survived by his brothers Dana Dettman and Dann Dettman (wife Karen, and two children, one predeceased).
Dave was formerly married to Darlene (née Krausch), with whom he shared two children.
He was a devoted father to his daughter Candice Suter (née Dettman) and her husband Mike Suter, and his son Jason Dettman and his wife Krystal Dettman (née Berry). He was a proud and loving grandfather to Gavin Suter (wife Annie), Alyssa Suter (fiancé Axel Creed), Destiny, Aliya, Breana, Cylie, and Damian Dettman (Jayden), and a cherished great-grandfather to Aurora Dettman.
Dave had a deep love for life and the people in it. He enjoyed sports, sharing beers with friends, and taking memorable golf trips. In his younger years, he was an avid hunter and fisherman. A lifelong car enthusiast and brilliant mechanic, Dave had a special fondness for his 1955 Chevy and 1963 Corvette, vehicles that reflected both his passion and skill. He cherished his independence and sense of freedom, and some of his fondest memories were made traveling across the country on Route 66.
Giving back was important to Dave. He volunteered with blind children at the Delta Gamma Center for well over a decade, quietly making a lasting difference in many young lives.
Before attending college, Dave raced cars and served as a head mechanic for major racing events. He later graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and an Associate Degree in Automotive Technology. His love of teaching and mentoring led him to serve as an Instructor at SIU, and later as an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator for Diesel Technology at St. Louis Community College, where he proudly started the diesel automotive technology program.
After college, Dave worked at Feld/Gelco Trucking, where he formed lifelong friendships with John Sullivan, Bud Lehman, Joe Albert, and Lynn Fanning. Along the way, he made many other meaningful friendships, including Rich Lamar, Al Brinkman and countless others. His ability to connect with people was one of his greatest gifts. Earlier in life, he was elected Senior Class President at Sterling High School, reflecting leadership qualities he carried throughout his life.
Professionally, Dave was Owner and President of Transportation Consultants of America, where he also served as Director of Operations, providing fleet management and consulting services throughout his career. Earlier roles included Fleet Operations Manager at Lohr Distributing in the early 1980s, a position he left after opening his own shop in St. Louis as his business quickly grew and demanded his full attention.
Dave had an undeniable passion for work. He took great pride in everything he did and instilled a strong work ethic in his children and those he mentored. He was known as the “coolest” grandpa, brother, uncle, and friend, with a great sense of humor, a nonjudgmental spirit, and always ready with the very best stories.
Dave lived a good life, rich in purpose, laughter, hard work, and love. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew him.
Dave was a 50 year friend. We motorcycled hunted, fished, and golfed togeather. We saved many ills of the world over a few beers (but alas, unable to remember the answers the following morning). I will sorely miss his humor, his companionship and his counsel as time moves forward without him.
I first met Dave thanks to John Sullivan at a TMC conference many years ago. After that we developed a friendship and stayed in touch over the years. Dave was such a genuinely friendly guy and an absolute joy to be around. I am thankful to have met him and to have been befriended by Dave. My sincerest condolences to the family.
My grandpa is the most genuine and real person I know. He always had a solution to my problems and would do anything he could to help. He was the best grandpa anyone could have asked for. My best memories with him was when he used to live in Chicago and I would come up for the weekend to hang out with him and the amount of beers I had to get up and grab for him were more times than I can count but I would do anything to grab one more beer for him. RIP Dave we all love you so much.
Sorry to hear his passing. He was a great employee, cared a lot about his job and the welfare of the company. He did a lot of good things for me and our family. He will be missed! RIP
My Papa Dettman was very family oriented. Whenever he would come into town he would always attempt to bring us somewhere, go to dinner or even just stop by with Krispy Kreme donuts and hangout for a little bit. I remember when he was taking me home from his and chucks place and we ended up talking about a Jimmy Buffett album and the song Margaritaville. I remember us chuckling cause he joked about going to Margaritaville and having a blast. I mentioned my dream car was a 63 corvette stingray with the split rear windows. He started bragging about having owned one earlier in his life. I thought he was the coolest just for having even owned one. We talked a while about that. Good times. My Papa Dettman played a huge in role in who I am today as a person. Thanks to him I have my amazing father who I can look up to knowing he followed one of the greatest examples of how to be a man that he could. This breaks my soul that your great grand daughter wont get to know your kindness and sweetness me and my sisters received our whole lives. you will truly be missed from the jokes of beer, to the stories at your backyard BBQ’s. Rest In Peace with love Papa Dettman
Dave was my second father. He lived next door to us while my dad was trying to figure everything out after his divorce and Dave his. I have so many memories of Dave. Mainly the annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show in my dads living room and him insisting he only drank two beers.
Jokes aside, he was such a great guy. I had a really rough time growing up and he always looked out for me. I remember so well his hugs and warmth and I am so sad to hear of his passing.
Candace, Jason, your dad was truly the best. Everything I aspire to be in life. He cared so deeply about my family, about me. I cannot express how much of an impact he has made on my life and my character. Always hilarious, always happy, just always there. He loved you so much. We love him so much! And you as a result, I hope you know how much your family is connected to ours and how much his legacy means to the Lamars!
Dave and I were friends for over 50 years. He was that special friend you could always count on if you needed something. We ended up living thousands of miles apart, but when we did get together for a few beers, it was like we had just seen each other yesterday. I met Dave when he was hired on at SIU/STC; we were both teaching in the automotive program. In fact, when Dave first hired on, he rented my spare bedroom. Being we were both fairly young and single led to a lot of escipades in Southern Illinois. It’s hard to imagine a world without Dave. May you rest in peace my friend.
I’m so sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. I worked with Dave for the last couple of years and I have no words to express the way Dave impacted my life and made the world a better place…we spoke so much or his life, past employment, and especially his family. I am so honored to have had such a great mentor and friend. Dave and I joked all the time about him being my “work husband” and I will never forget him.
I first met Dave a few years ago as a parts salesman in the heavy-duty truck industry. Dave, who was recently hired as Director of Fleet Maintenance at one of my accounts was immediately friendly to me and an advocate for my business. I looked forward to meeting with him every Monday, sharing laughs, and hearing stories about his long career; it seemed there wasn’t much he hadn’t touched or heard of in his time in the industry. His depth of knowledge of shops and fleet maintenance in the trucking industry was something to be proud of.
Just when I thought I knew everything about Dave and his travels, he would tell me another tale of his storied career. His knowledge and more importantly, Dave as a person, will surely be missed by all who knew him. I’m grateful to have known him and will miss our weekly interactions.
Dave Dettman has been a lifelong friend and mentor for 50 years. He was a BEST friend! Someone that I could always count on to be there for advice, humor, friendship and help in any way when needed or just have a beer with.
I first met Dave when I attended a one week class in 1976 at SIU that Dave taught. We hit it off and went out for beers each night after class and the friendship began. I later joined the SIU Auto Technology staff teaching with Dave and Joe Albert. Dave later left SIU to work at FELD/GELCO and he hired me a year later. Dave became my mentor as I learned how “corporate life” worked. He left GELCO to start his Company and our careers took different paths living and working in different cities. But we stayed in touch and continued our annual traditional Denver Mountain Golf Trip that started 30 some years ago.
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That annual Denver outing with Bud Lehman and Lynn Fanning (also GELCO guys) allowed us to catch up on our lives, play some golf and drink some beers. At night, Bud and Lynn would hit the sack early and Dave and I would binge watch movies, drink beers and B.S. late into the night.
Most of Dave’s conversations were about his family. He was quite the family man that wanted (and succeeded) to be the all around DAD, helping his kids, grandchildren and great grandchild in any way he could. Family gatherings were his most cherished times. He loved talking about his family!
Dave will be sorely missed by the many family members and friends he impacted with his humor, support, generosity and friendly manner.
Rest In Peace, my friend!