Resident of Santa Cruz

David Newswanger, beloved husband, brother and uncle, died on February 24, 2025 after an eight-month battle with glioblastoma at the age of 77. He was born in Lancaster, PA May 13, 1947. David graduated from Manheim Township High School in Lancaster and, always interested in the visual arts, went on to study Industrial Design at the Kansas City Art Institute (KC Missouri), where in 1969 he received his BFA. It was also there in 1965 that he met his best friend, and future partner and husband of fifty-two years, Craig Kochersberger. Moving to San Francisco in 1973 was the beginning of a long life together. Employment opportunities took them to Silicon Valley where Dave pursued a career first as an industrial designer, then as a mechanical engineer/manager in the electronics industry. In 1979 they purchased their first home in the Santa Cruz Mountains and in 1984, their second home near the summit. It was there they stayed for twenty-one years, commuting to the Santa Clara Valley and experiencing the many charms and challenges of mountain life, including the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. With retirement came a move to Santa Cruz in 2005 where David and Craig lived a full and active retirement life together, traveling extensively, gardening, maintaining physical fitness and practicing the fine art of oil painting.

Survived by husband Craig Kochersberger of Santa Cruz, sister Christine (William) Corbin of Mathews VA, and brother John Newswanger of Lancaster PA.; niece Lisa (Gordon Pace) Corbin and nephew Matthew (Catherine) Corbin, both of Richmond VA; sister-in-law Patti Kochersberger and nephews Michael Kochersberger and Gregory (Amy) Kochersberger, all of Rochester NY. Dave was an intelligent, kind man who was dearly loved by the family and friends he leaves behind.

Much appreciation for the care from the doctors, nurses and staff at Dominican Hospital, Stanford Neuro Oncology, Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) and Hospice Santa Cruz County.

In Dave’s memory please consider supporting the National Brain Tumor Society, Animal Shelter of Santa Cruz County, or The Diversity Center of Santa Cruz County.