David G. Gates

March 17, 1940 - October 5, 2020

David Gary Gates, age 80, passed away peacefully on October 5th, 2020 with his family by his side. Loving husband of Nancy, proud father of Stephen and wife Whitney, brother to Pat Kerl, and uncle to Gregory Kerl. David served his country with distinction as a member of the Honor Guard at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. He was always proud of his selection to The Old Guard, an incredibly rare honor, and the least awarded in the Army. While in the Tomb Guard, he served as a member of the funeral detail for President John F. Kennedy. After finishing his tour in the Army, he studied at the Cleveland Institute of Art, where he fell in love with his wife of 53 years, Nancy. He later moved his young family to Pittsburgh, where he became the Creative Director for the advertising agency VanDine Horton working on numerous clients, including Alcoa, Buhl Science Center, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. David was best known for his humor, quick wit, award-winning graphic design, one of a kind holiday cards, intricate woodworking, and love of any dessert with whipped cream. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Family Hospice Lawrenceville, Inpatient Unit, 310 Fisk Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, or make a memorial donation online at FamilyHospicePA.org in honor of David.