David Forbes

David H. Forbes, age 86, died peacefully of natural causes on March 20, 2022, at Pine Haven Christian Communities with his family at his side.

Dave was born November 12, 1935, in Monroe, Wisconsin to the late James Forbes and Alice Hendry Forbes, both Scottish immigrants who made Wisconsin their home.  Dave married Elaine Evanoff on September 4, 1965, at Holy Name Catholic Church in Sheboygan, Wisconsin; they had been married for more than 56 years at the time of Dave’s passing.

From his earliest days in Monroe, Dave was exposed to golf through his father Jim, a golf pro hailing from Monifieth, Scotland who ran the Monroe Country Club golf program.  Dave grew to become an accomplished golfer, eventually playing for and serving as co-captain of the University of Wisconsin Golf Team that won the Big Ten golf championship in 1957.  Sixty years later, the UW-Madison Golf Team awarded Dave special recognition for his role in Wisconsin sports history.  He graduated from UW-Madison with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree on June 21, 1957.

Dave then served his country in the United States Air Force while also playing golf throughout Asia as part of the USAF.  After his military service, Dave worked for the Chicago Board of Trade before relocating to Milwaukee to join the Wisconsin Electric Company in their finance department.

During this period in Milwaukee, Dave met Elaine at a Halloween party.  The rest is history.

Dave and Elaine took ownership of the Evans Store on North 8th Street in Sheboygan in 1965.  A second store was built shortly thereafter on Wilson Avenue.  As the retail landscape changed, so too did their stores and their 41 years of operation, eventually evolving into Creative Crafts and Framing.

Dave’s first love was his family to whom he showed tremendous dedication and affection.  Watching his children and grandchildren grow up gave him great joy and purpose.  Always ready to help or offer a kind word, he was a thoughtful and steady hand in their lives.  Dave’s children and grandchildren will miss him immensely.

Dave’s other love (running a close second) was expressed in his lifelong commitment to and love of golf.  In 1966, Dave joined Pine Hills Country Club, where he played happily (and successfully) for more than 50 years.  Living right off the 11th green and 12th tee, Dave frequently could be found chipping and putting at all times of the day.  Pine Hills recently awarded Dave an Honorary Membership and recognized August 24, 2017 as “Dave Forbes Day,” honoring both his storied career in golf and his service and devotion to Pine Hills Country Club.

Dave’s smile was easy, but always sincere.  His nature was gentle, but always engaging and empathetic. He touched so many people who came into his life, and he was a gentle soul loved and respected by those who knew him.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Dave will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at Holy Name Catholic Church, 807 Superior Ave. in Sheboygan, with a visitation prior to mass starting at 10:30AM.  Family will greet visitors on Friday at Ballhorn Chapels, 1201 N 8th St. from 3:30 PM until 6:30 PM.  Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Sheboygan.

Dave is survived by his wife, Elaine Forbes, and three children Susan (Tom) Sylke, Steven Forbes, and Jennifer (Alan) Redell.  Dave doted on his six loving granddaughters, Amelia Redell, Sarah Redell, Lauren Redell, Allison Sylke, Olivia Forbes and Samantha Forbes.  He is further survived by his brother James (Nancy) Forbes, brother-in-law Ed (Cindy) Evanoff, sister-in-law Heidi Evanoff, and many nieces and nephews.   Dave was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Brian Forbes.

Dave’s family would like to thank the staff at both Pine Haven and at the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for all the support and care.