David John Kohnke, passed away unexpectedly on July 14, 2026 as the result of an automobile accident in San Mateo, CA at the age of 89.

The son of Irving John Kohnke and Nancy Caroline Nichols he was well regarded for his gregarious, social and welcoming nature.

Dave was native born in San Francisco CA January 15, 1937, where he lived for the first few years of his life. Already a fourth generation San Franciscan at that time, he was very proud that he had those roots.

A few years later, his family decided to move to what then was the country, settling locally in the Baywood neighborhood of San Mateo, CA first on Sonora Drive then a bit later to Virginia Avenue.

He attended Baywood Elementary School, Borel Middle School and was a proud Bearcat at San Mateo High School, Class of 1955.

His activeness was apparent early on. During his youth he participated in cub scouts, crossing guards, band and swim teams.

At the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy. Stationed at Alameda Naval Air Station and served as an aviation machinest mate and petty officer. He was particularly proud of his service in the South Pacific aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Lexington (CV-16) as a member of attack squadron VF-151, the Black Knights. This was the first naval squadron to take the atomic bomb to sea on a ship. It required top secret clearance and training, which he guarded to his dying day. A testament to his patriotism and loyalty.

After his time in the navy, he decided to prepare for his future and went on to study at Oregon State University where he earned a bachelor of science in business administration with a minor in industrial engineering. His time there was also indicative of how active his later life would be. While going to school, he worked as a night shift supervisor at Cascade Printing, worked as a lifeguard at the city pool, made lifelong friends as a member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity and served as the fraternity’s House Manager.

While at Oregon State University, he met the love of his life, Loraine Marie Govier who was the secretary of the Dean of the OSU business school. At first they were acquaintances, but later they were set up on a blind date by one of his fraternity brothers.

In 1961, David and Loriane were united in Holy Matrimony at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Corvallis Oregon then settled down in Burlingame CA then to Belmont in 1964 to start their family. In 1965 their son John was born followed by their son Jim’s birth in 1966. David and Loraine were residents of Belmont for the remainder of their lives.

To start his professional life, he entered the family business, Kohnke Printing which was founded in San Francisco by his grandfather in 1910. He led and grew the company through both good and turbulent times. Though he made a name for himself and the company, he was also known for engaging and caring about his employees making sure their futures were safe and secure. As a leader in the San Francisco printing industry, he was on the forefront of changing the industry from letterpress technologies to modern offset lithography including service as a president and board member of the San Francisco Club of Litho and Printing House Craftsmen for many years.

Outside of work he was an active member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church, The Olympic Club, the San Mateo Elks Club, SIRS and Native Sons of California. He enjoyed tennis, golf, swimming and in his later days bocce ball. In fact, his last act was driving to the San Mateo Elks Club to participate in a bocce ball match.

David is survived by his sons, John David Kohnke and James Irving Kohnke, their wives Rose Aurora Burcheri (John) and Cathy Sue Lingenfelder (Jim), three grand children Kevin Michael Kohnke (Jim) and his wife Kailey, Kristin Marie Kohnke (Jim) and Carl Anthony Kohnke (John).

Funeral services were held July 30th at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Belmont followed by an internment at St John’s Cemetery in San Mateo, CA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Summer Home Park Memorial Fund.