Obituary for David Lee Sisam
David Lee Sisam, son of Colyer and Virginia Sisam, born November 2, 1929, passed peacefully on March 23, 2022. He is survived by the love of his life, Arlene with whom he celebrated 68 years of marriage; four devoted children: David (Julie), Dianne (Cary Miller), Rick (DeeAnn), and Randall (Jennette); six grandchildren: Marcie, Julie, Lindsie, Jenna, Paul, and Aidan; and four great-grandchildren: Reyna, Kobe, Jada, and Kamren.
David grew up in Des Moines, living down the street from what was then Grand View College (GVC). Graduating from the school in 1951, he began his career teaching, coaching, training, mentoring, and counseling. “Coach” or “Pards” would always turn his head. As his life’s work centered at GVC, so his family followed with Arlene graduating from Grand View in 1971; David in 1975, Dianne in 1978, Rick in 1985, and Randy in 1986.
By the time he retired as Athletics Director in 1989, “Pards” had dedicated over 34 years to the players, coaches, and sports programs of Grand View, where he served not only as AD but also as Head Coach for men’s basketball, baseball, men’s and women’s tennis, PE instructor, and department chair. In his time at Grand View, he coached the equivalent of 69 years’ worth of individual sports. At the time of his induction into the Grand View Hall of Fame in 1998, Dave was the only one in the country to coach four separate sports to the national
tournament, building nine national tournament teams. In 2002, Grand View renamed the basketball gymnasium “Dave Sisam Arena,” bestowing upon Coach Sisam, his greatest honor.
Dave’s love of fishing moved the family to Greenbriar Estates in Cumming, IA, where he and Arlene spent their golden years, wintering in Arizona, with their last move taking them to Greenville, SC. For his family, he will be forever remembered as their best coach.
Private services will be held. A reception will be held 2:00 - 4:00 PM Saturday, June 4, 2022 in the Dave Sisam Arena at Grand View University, Des Moines, IA. Memorial donations may be made to the Grand View University Athletic Department,1200 Grandview Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50316.
David grew up in Des Moines, living down the street from what was then Grand View College (GVC). Graduating from the school in 1951, he began his career teaching, coaching, training, mentoring, and counseling. “Coach” or “Pards” would always turn his head. As his life’s work centered at GVC, so his family followed with Arlene graduating from Grand View in 1971; David in 1975, Dianne in 1978, Rick in 1985, and Randy in 1986.
By the time he retired as Athletics Director in 1989, “Pards” had dedicated over 34 years to the players, coaches, and sports programs of Grand View, where he served not only as AD but also as Head Coach for men’s basketball, baseball, men’s and women’s tennis, PE instructor, and department chair. In his time at Grand View, he coached the equivalent of 69 years’ worth of individual sports. At the time of his induction into the Grand View Hall of Fame in 1998, Dave was the only one in the country to coach four separate sports to the national
tournament, building nine national tournament teams. In 2002, Grand View renamed the basketball gymnasium “Dave Sisam Arena,” bestowing upon Coach Sisam, his greatest honor.
Dave’s love of fishing moved the family to Greenbriar Estates in Cumming, IA, where he and Arlene spent their golden years, wintering in Arizona, with their last move taking them to Greenville, SC. For his family, he will be forever remembered as their best coach.
Private services will be held. A reception will be held 2:00 - 4:00 PM Saturday, June 4, 2022 in the Dave Sisam Arena at Grand View University, Des Moines, IA. Memorial donations may be made to the Grand View University Athletic Department,1200 Grandview Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50316.