David Henry Curschman

David Henry Curschman passed away suddenly on May 19, 2026, leaving behind a loving family, dear friends, and many former colleagues. His death has left those who knew and loved him without words to truly describe their loss. David loved his family. He loved being with friends. He loved sports (especially football); he loved travel, the theater, movies, and his pups, Olivia and Stella. David loved a corny joke and a funny prank. And he loved dessert. David, the first son of Henry and Joyce Curschman, was born on September 24, 1955 in Cleveland, Ohio. His love of sports began with the Cleveland Indians (Guardians) and only grew when the family moved to Las Vegas and he began competing. David graduated from Clark High School in 1973 having played both football and baseball and moved to California to attend college. In Taft, David met his McNinch Family - "Mac" his college baseball coach, Joan (whose kindergarten classroom David worked in as his college job), and the rest of the family, including Stacey who would become his wife, best friend, and biggest supporter. He built wonderful, lifelong friendships in Las Vegas and Taft through family and sports, always thoroughly enjoying the competition and teamwork. David graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1978 with a business degree in finance and accounting. That fall he began his career in agri-business. He would work for forty-five years in a variety of businesses and with a variety of commodities, learning about an industry that didn't even exist in Las Vegas. David's professional life began in Bakersfield and eventually lead to Visalia, where he and Stacey have been at home for forty-one years. David's love of baseball took him into Men's Fast Pitch Softball, where he played for eight years on a fast pitch travel team, competing across California. This love of sports also brought him into the world of football officiating. With encouragement from his father-in-law, David started officiating in Bakersfield in 1978. He worked his way from youth football to high school and finally to community college, working as the assigner for local high schools while continuing to develop his officiating knowledge. Through diligence, perseverance and hard work David moved ahead to officiate in the SCIAC and Big Sky Conference, before moving into the WAC (later the Mountain West Conference), the PAC 10, and the Big 12. Football took David and Stacey to thirty-one different states, including games at Notre Dame, Annapolis, Marshall, USC, Oregon, Texas, Oklahoma, Central Florida, and Hawaii (a favorite spot for football families). David believed in giving back, in supporting those who would be the next generation of college officials and leaders. He enjoyed coaching officials, leading training events, and connecting with coaches and ADs. He wanted to be the kind of mentor he had had along the way during his career. David co-founded the Northern California Community College Football Officials Association to recruit, train and assign community college officials in northern California. The "Organization" serves as a conduit for many, many officials as they build the experience and expertise, that might lead to Division I officiating. The ORG was David's passion project, a way to help others and give back to the sport he so loved. David's other passion was his family. He and Stacey supported one another through all the ups and downs that are always part of a decade's long partnership. Theirs was a life built on love, respect, and possibilities. Over the years, through hard work and commitment, their marriage only grew stronger and they were truly enjoying retirement together. David felt blessed with family, his parents, brother Mark and nephew Neil and his "McNinch" family. He loved being part of family events, being with his sisters and brothers-in-law and watching his nephews' successes, professional growth and then, becoming parents themselves. And he really enjoyed the exploits of his great nieces and nephews. David Curschman is survived by his wife Stacey; his brother Mark Curschman; father Henry Curschman; sisters-in-law Amy McNinch (Tod) and Melissa Christensen (Daryl), Christy McNinch and Tammie McNinch; his nephews Neil Curschman, Zachary McNinch (Stephanie) and Anthony McNinch (Lauren); and their children Reese and Luke (Zach) and Mason and Piper (Anthony). David is also survived by his Mayer and Hougland cousins and by his many friends and closest pals. Please join his family and friends for a reception honoring David Henry Curschman on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Salser and Dillard Event Center, 135 E Caldwell Ave. Visalia CA 93277 Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

David Henry Curschman

September 24, 1955 - May 19, 2026