David Lawrence Bliven, age 83, died on March 23, 2016 in Tucson, Arizona. The oldest of five children, David was born to Lawrence Willard and Anna Smith Bliven on November 25, 1932 in Oxford, New York. He is predeceased by two sisters, Doris Lawton and June Teel, his brother Donald Bliven, and a granddaughter, Joan Bliven.
Dave married Arlene Rutherford on August 31, 1957. In addition to his wife, survivors include his sister Elinor Beebe of Grants Pass, Oregon, and four children; Catherine Kiser (Roger) of Pine, Colorado; Margot Bliven (Richard Rosenberg) of Hammondsport, New York; Mathew Bliven (Kathryn) of Alameda, California; and Adam Bliven (Holly) of Tucson, Arizona. Dave shared his life with ten grandchildren, two great-grandsons, many nieces and nephews, as well as many loving friends.
Dave enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1950 and served in Germany as a radar technician. After receiving an honorable discharge in 1954, he attended Clarkson College and graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Dave worked for Ingersoll Rand in Painted Post, New York, for 15 years and Dresser-Roots in Connersville, Indiana, for 21 years, retiring in 1993. In retirement, he consulted for ten years for Ogura Corporation. Dave was a registered Professional Engineer and active in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He inspired many children and grandchildren to pursue careers as engineers.
Dave was an active member of the Connersville community in which he and Arlene resided for 44 years. He was a member of the Connersville Country Club and served on the Fayette Memorial Hospital Board for five years, including a term as the Board president in 1988.
Dave will be remembered as a kind, gentle person with a great sense of humor and a playful attitude. He was an avid Bridge player and a legendary Scrabble competitor within the Bliven family. He was also a “hands-on engineer” who didn’t shy away from any home improvement or do-it-yourself project. In addition to building two homes, he enlisted his children to construct a wood-and-canvas canoe in the family room and a sailboat in the basement. Dave enjoyed playing golf, traveling and visiting with friends. In his later years, he was happiest while spending time with Arlene, their loyal companion Sophie, and the company of extended family.
Memorial contributions may be made in David’s name to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation, www.alzinfo.org.

Funeral Blues
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message 'He is Dead'.
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.
The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

-W. H. Auden