March 20, 2024 3:30 a.m.
Long-time Winston resident David Van Dermark passed away on Saturday.
Van Dermark was deeply involved in local activities for decades. He was perhaps best known for being the Winston City Manager from 2004 to 2015.
Born in Cottage Grove, Vandermark spent most of his life in the Winston area, where his father was a doctor. He graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Van Dermark spent a few months in Alaska, working on a Japanese fishing trawler in the Bering Sea. Later he spent around a decade on the staff of the American Cancer Society, directing the Roseburg office for three years before moving on to similar positions in Roseville, California and Billings, Montana. His desire to be near family brought him back to Winston. While working as the site trainer for Standard Register, Vandermark met the love of his life, Mary. He had not previously been married. They had a blended family and would have been married for 25 years this April.
Vandermark also worked for ABCT Inc. in Roseburg and operated a consulting firm from 2002 to 2004 before being hired by the City of Winston. He was involved in city government in other ways, serving as Winston Mayor in 1987 and 1988. After moving back to the community, he served several terms on the Winston City Council, beginning in 1999. He ran for Douglas County Commissioner in 2002, losing in the Republican primary in a three-person race.
Vandermark later served as city manager in Crescent City, California in 2016 and 2017. He was a substitute teacher for part of 2016 and again from 2017 to 2019.
As a volunteer, Vandermark served with a number of organizations: being a SMART Reader, SOLVE Beach Litter Cleanup, Douglas County Employer Council, Umpqua Regional Council of Governments, and more. He was even a tuba player in the Roseburg German Band and helped participants in Special Olympics.
Family members said Vander Mark never met a stranger and loved to talk to people. He had a long list of hobbies that included traveling, boating, camping and anything outdoors.
A Catholic Mass for David will be held on April 6th at 11:00 a.m. at All Souls Catholic Church in Myrtle Creek. A celebration of life is being planned for next month. The date and location are pending.
David Van Dermark was age 67.