Feb. 23, 1960 – March 28, 2018

David Wacker was born in Santa Monica and moved to La Crescenta with his family at age 4, destined to become a life long resident of that community.

The foothills were a perfect place for an inquisitive boy to grow up. Climbing the check dams and finding tadpoles in streams and caves, David was constantly active. Monte Vista, Rosemont, Crescenta Valley High School and Glendale College were all home to David for his early years.

After leaving Glendale College, David became a member of Sound Technicians Local 695 and worked at MGM Studios. While working as a sound technician at MGM, David was twice nominated for an Academy Award … once for the movie “War Games” and once for the movie “2010.” He was later recruited to work in the sound department at Disney.

His career in sound spanned a period of 10 years. He took time off from the grueling schedule of 12 hour days, six days a week, and started in a different direction at Universal Studios Hollywood, where he worked in technical services for 25 years.

David was multi-talented and over the years built two race cars, the first a stock car, later stepping up to Sportsman Class, which he raced at Mesa Marin in Bakersfield and Saugus Speedway.

After several years of car racing, Dave moved on to horses. During that time he was asked to join a prestigious equestrian group that did Civil War reenactments: The New Buffalo Soldiers. He rode with them in two Rose Parades, a proud member of a proud Calvary unit.

David had a big and generous heart. He helped many friends, move, haul, work on their car engines, change brakes, pump water out of their flooded house. Wherever help was needed, Dave was there to pitch in. Family and friends were paramount to David.

David was predeceased by his father John. He is survived by his mother Eleanor, his brother and sister-in-law John and Bonnie, and his adored nieces, Amber and Angeline Wacker.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 2441 Montrose Ave. Montrose on Saturday April 14 at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in David’s name to American Heart/American Stroke Association, PO Box 742030, Los Angeles, CA 90074.