David Richard LaRue

David Richard La Rue, age 48, died peacefully at his home in Manitou Springs, Colorado on Friday, October 8, 2010 after boldly confronting ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) for 5 years. Dave was born May 17, 1962 in St. Louis Park, MN to Richard and Marilyn La Rue. Growing up Dave and his family lived in Minnesota, Florida, Indiana, and South Dakota. As a small, red-headed child Dave was known for his mischievous ways that only years later his family can laugh at. He graduated from Vermillion High School (SD) where he was known as "Lefty", and attended Catholic University of America. After his freshman year, he transferred to the University of South Dakota where he met the woman of his dreams and future wife, Lisa Goehring. They both graduated from USD in 1984 then moved to Maryland. They eloped on July 5, 1985 and were married at the Montgomery County Maryland Courthouse. Dave worked as a Systems Programmer at MCI for 14 years and was transferred to Colorado Springs in 1992. Dave and Lisa had two children - a daughter Mariah Celeste born January 4, 1991 and a son Aleksei Redstone born February 10, 1994. Dave decided to become a stay-at-home dad in 1998. He embraced this role and became a coach, tutor, school volunteer, and chauffeur for his children's events and activities. Dave and his family moved to Melbourne, Australia for 2 years, returning to Colorado Springs in 2001 where he introduced many Australian customs and sports to his friends and family. They moved to Manitou Springs in December 2009.Dave had many hobbies including "pop" can collecting, camping, sailing, hiking, fishing, biking, softball, soccer, rock climbing, triathlons, painting, photography, tile-making, gardening, furniture building, canning (especially spicy dill pickles) and watching off-the-wall films. He and his older brother Chuck were the co-inventors of "Sock Ball". Dave was a fanatical USD Coyotes, Minnesota Vikings and Twins fan. The last message he typed with his Eyegaze was "Moss traded to Vikes".Dave was well-loved by his friends and family. He had a wry sense of humor and adventurous spirit. In 2005 Dave and Lisa noticed subtle changes in his speech, and in 2006 he was diagnosed with ALS. Though it all he maintained his positive outlook striving to see the world through rose-colored glasses. Dave was active in raising money and awareness for ALS research. His brother Chuck is currently walking across the United States in support of those efforts, with all proceeds raised during his walk going to the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the ALS Association. Progress of Chuck's journey can be followed on his Facebook page "Chuck Walking". Survivors include: his wife of 25 years Lisa, daughter Mariah 19, son Aleksei 16, parents Marilyn and Richard La Rue, brother Chuck and children Kriz and Jerome, sister Mary and children Justin, Alison, Katie, Tommy, sister Julie and husband Adam Walderman and children Ava, Talia, Ben, sister-in-law Cheryl and husband Terry Winter and children Cameron, Jordan, Paige and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. There will be an open house to share memories and stories about Dave on Saturday October 16 from 3pm to 6pm at Phantom Canyon Brewery, located at 2 Pikes Peak Ave. Please bring a written memory, photo or memento to include in a memory book for his children. The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Walk to Defeat ALS at http://web.alsa.org/goto/LisaLaRue or mailed to The ALS Association - Rocky Mountain Chapter, "Lisa La Rue, Spirit of the Springs Walk Team", 7403 Church Ranch Blvd., Suite 109, Westminster, CO 80021 and also note "Lisa La Rue, Spirit of the Springs Walk Team" on the donation itself.Funeral Home:The Springs Funeral Services3115 East Platte AvenueColorado Springs, , COUS 80909 Events Family Gathering Saturday, October 16, 2010 3:00PM - 6:00PM Phantom Canyon Brewery 2 Pikes Peak Avenue Colorado Springs, CO Phone: 719-328-1793 Service Saturday, October 16, 2010 3:00PM - 6:00PM Phantom Canyon Brewery 2 Pikes Peak Avenue Colorado Springs, CO Phone: 719-328-1793