David Scott Pabst

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David and Teri's Livestream Service will begin at 2 p.m. CT on Saturday, July 19, 2025.  Scroll down to the Webcast section and click on "Watch Now."

MIDDLETON - David Scott Pabst, age 64, of Middleton, Wis., died on July 7, 2025. Dave was a dedicated family man, who lived his life with utmost integrity, courage and faith.

He was born on July 12, 1960, in Amery, Wis., as the fourth child of Robert and June (Hartwig) Pabst. He attended grade school in Milwaukee, Ladysmith, and New Richmond and graduated from New Richmond High School in 1979. He completed his associate’s degree at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical Institute. He was a graduate of the Wisconsin State Patrol 35th recruit class in 1986 and spent 25 years as a law enforcement officer, rising through the ranks from trooper and inspector in the State Patrol Northwest Region to sergeant, lieutenant and captain at State Patrol headquarters in Madison. In 2013, he was appointed director of the Bureau of Transportation Safety and Technical Services for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, where he led the State Patrol’s safety programs and public outreach efforts. He was a public servant who went above and beyond in all that he did.

David married Teresa Marie Reiter on May 14, 1988, in Willmar, Minn. Over 37 years of marriage, they forged a family unit bonded by faith, hope, and love. In Dave and Teri’s early married years, they raised their daughters in Baldwin and Hudson. As troopers do, he spent many long days and nights on the road. He always made sure to have a stuffed animal in his car in case he encountered a child during a stop or at the scene of an accident. He then became an inspector at the Hudson Scale where his passion for highway safety took hold. At home, you could always find him tooling around on his bevy of bikes-from a banana bike to a triple tandem to a unicycle. Long bike rides and camping with his friends were a source of community for him. He was a Mr. Fix-it with a special knack for tinkering with electronics or crafting a solution for anything out of duct tape! Any friend or neighbor knew they could turn to him if their car needed repairs or if they needed a quick fix on something around the house. For a guy who loved fast and cool cars, he sacrificed a lot for his family to ride around in an eclectic assortment of vans over the years.

While his gentleness and kindness was what you got at first glance, Dave’s playful and joyful spirit shone through if you were lucky enough to get to know him. “Daddy beaver” to his girls, he could always make you laugh with a silly impression or dad joke. His favorite place was “the Woods” in Clear Lake, Wis., where his parents had built their log cabin home. He spent countless hours there hunting, watching Packers-Vikings games, skiing and walking through the serene Wisconsin northwoods. After his parents’ passing, he became the caretaker of the Pabst family cabin, ensuring that it was maintained for the rest of the family. He spent many cherished days there with his children, grandchildren, siblings, and nieces and nephews.

Dave and Teri together led their family to follow Jesus and found many church communities to be a part of over the years. His faith helped him endure the challenges of life and he is now safe in the arms of his heavenly Father. David was preceded in death by his parents; and infant sister, Candace. He was accompanied in death by his bride, Teri; and son, James. He is survived by his children, Lora (Tom) Horgen of St. Paul, Minn., Danielle (Drew Gough) Pabst of Cross Plains, Wis., Heidi (Mark Phillips) Pabst of Plymouth, Minn., and Martavous “Noah” Pabst of St. Paul, Minn.; siblings, Bradley (Bea) Pabst of Tacoma, Wash., Lori (Duane) Page of New Richmond, Wis., and Dan (Sally) Pabst of Ellsworth, Wis.; seven grandchildren, Holden, Natalie and Ivy Barlow, Aurora and Magnus Horgen, Aylah Phillips, and Juliette Lewis; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.  

Funeral services for David and Teri will take place at BLACKHAWK CHURCH, 9620 Brader Way, Middleton, Wis., at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2025. A visitation will take place at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025, as well as the two hours prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Burial will take place in Hudson, Wis., at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Wisconsin Troopers Benevolent Foundation or National Alliance on Mental Illness-Wisconsin. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Fitchburg

Funeral & Cremation Care

2950 Chapel Valley Road

(608) 442-5002