Colson, David Aaron Everyone has a story. David Colson's story started with his arrival on April 7th, 1972, in New Haven, CT. It did not end with his sudden passing on Oct. 21st, 2021. It's still being written in vibrant, transformative color by his wife of 25 years, Nicole; his daughters Ellie and Eva; loving parents, Dr. Steven and Donna Colson, his brothers Dr. Douglas, Spencer, Dr. Steven and Brent; big sisters Maria and Susan and their remarkable spouses and children, as well as in-laws who loved him as a son and brother, Dr. Wallace and Rose Simpson, Robin Simpson and Chris Simpson and their beautiful families. He also leaves behind his beloved beagle mix Huckle, the third in a line of rescue dogs. David's generosity, humor, empathy, and willingness to help drew friends that became family. He cast his net wide and we're fortunate to feel the genuine, unfettered love from across his many communities and relationships. From high school friends and neighbors in Farmington to Tiger Band parents, and dear co-workers first at Dell/EMC, then Ahead and now Rubrik, where he thrived as a sales manager. The middle of seven children, David grew up in Cheshire, CT, before moving with his family to Richland, WA, where he graduated from Richland High School in 1991. He attended several colleges including Rainy River Community College in International Falls, then earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology, Evolution and Animal Behavior from the University of Minnesota. Nicole had the good fortune to meet David at college in Bellingham, WA in 1994. He always said it was his best sales job, as she said yes when he proposed 7 weeks later on a train from Seattle to St. Paul. Married in November 1995, David and Nicole welcomed daughter Ellie Rose in 2001 and Evangeline Marie in 2005. His girls were the suns lighting his days on earth. He proudly cheered and whistled at their concerts, worked props and drove trailer for marching band and introduced them to the wonders of welding, and smoking meats in rigs he designed and built. We miss David, but he never left a word, a wink or an "I love you" unsaid. He made us better people. We are forever grateful for his life and his love. A service is planned on Rainy Lake later in the spring when he would have turned 50. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Voyageurs Conservancy, voyageurs.org/… or Midwest Animal Rescue, midwestanimalrescue.com

Published on October 24, 2021