David Mack Ginter

David Mack Ginter, 80, passed away unexpectedly Sept. 3, 2016, at his home in Glen Ellen. David was born on Oct. 22, 1935, in Wooster, Ohio. the son of John and Pauline Ginter. David graduated from Wooster High School in 1953 and attended Ohio State University and Arizona University. His love of learning and adventure led him to study in Mexico City, Paris, Germany and Russia as well. David earned his teaching credential from San Francisco State College, where he met the love of his life, Barbara. David and Barbara married in 1961 and moved to Glen Ellen in 1964 to raise their family.

David started his teaching career at Woodside High School. He taught Spanish, French, German, Russian and folk dancing at Napa Valley schools for the majority of his career; at Silverado Middle School in the ‘60s and ‘70s; and at Napa High School in the ‘80s and ‘90s. He also spent the 1978-79 school year on sabbatical with his family teaching English as a second language in Athens, Greece. After retiring from Napa High School, he worked at the Basque Boulangerie.

David was an active member in the Glen Ellen Community Church for 44 years where he sang in the choir, played conga drums, and frequently was the narrator for the annual live nativity scene.

David was known for his quick wit, love of life, kind and friendly spirit. He was a loving and generous husband and father and the best grandfather in the world.

David is survived by his children, Megan Benz and Tobin Ginter; his daughter-in-law, Maricela Ginter; his grandchildren Katja and Sara Benz; Keegan and Annika Ginter; as well as his great-grandchildren, Dion and Nadia Lee.

A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16 at Glen Ellen Community Church, 5311 O’Donnell Lane, Glen Ellen. A private family burial will be held in Columbia, California.

Memorial contributions may be made to Young Life Sonoma, P.O. Box 1011, Glen Ellen, CA 95442 or Friends of the Sonoma Valley Library, 755 W. Napa St., Sonoma CA 95746.