David "Dave" Sutton
2009-09-03
Dave died of an aortic embolism.
Tom Mannion '72, brother of our classmate Melinda Mannion O'Brien who died in 2006, told us about David passing away from an aortic embolism. Dave was #48 - a running back for the NA tigers and went on to play at several colleges in Kansas and Texas, where he got married, started a very successful bakery, raised three children, and retired. His nick name was “Atom” derived from the cartoon Atom Ant. David's oldest son Chris was named after another classmate - Chris Devlin.
Robbie Sutton, Dave’s wife, told us the following: Dave and Robbie met through mutual friends while both were working at a wholesale bakery. They were married 27 ½ years. The own 5 acres and were walking and jogging with one of Robbie’s friends when Dave suddenly fell down. Robbie and her friend tried to revive him, but, to no avail. Robbie and Dave’s oldest daughter chose to get married on Dave’s birthday several months later in front of 500 guests. It was a wonderful celebration and so much support was given to the family that day.
Chris Devlin: Dave was an inspiring football player and friend. He always had a smile and was easy to be around. Dave had a heart and desire for winning that made us all better players. I last saw him in Texas when he stopped by our locker room at the Cotton Bowl to pay me a visit. We got together several times that week and though we had not seen each other in four years our friendship was immediately renewed and strengthened. He put me at ease showing no awkwardness or reserve around my Penn State team mates he didn't know. We were team mates and NA Tigers. I was shocked to hear of his passing. I am blessed for having had his friendship, however brief. It is the early relationships in my life that are the most indelibly written on my heart. Dave, along with my classmates at NA, helped shape me and are a part of me today; in large or small parts. I appreciate you all and it is an honor for me to honor Dave Sutton.
Steve Wolff wrote: What Dave lacked in physical stature, he more than made up for with a heart of a Tiger, as well as the heart of a warm, kind, and compassionate person. No challenge was ever too big for Dave. He knew what he wanted and where he was going, then quietly pushed forward and got it done. When the odds were against him, Dave was at his best – he simply refused to let anything hold him back. After NA, Dave attended college in Kansas & later graduated from North Texas State. When his family relocated from Pittsburgh to Plano, Dave joined them & worked in his Uncle’s supermarket. After learning the bakery side of the business, Dave opened his own very successful bakery. Throughout high school, Dave worked part-time at a nursing home, as well as odd jobs for a doctor. He used the bulk of his earnings to help out with family expenses & what was left enabled him to buy his own car – a red VW – and pay for everything else he needed. When I left for Basic Training, I had a short layover in Dallas & Dave drove an hour each way to spend 20 minutes with me. A few years later, Dave loaned me some money (his idea, not mine) and when I paid him back, he refused to accept any interest. He was such a loyal friend. I last talked with Dave & his wife Robbie in 1993. At first, I wasn’t sure I had the right guy, because he sounded so much like H. Ross Perot. No more Western PA accent, just pure Texan. I feel honored and proud to have been Dave’s friend. He was truly one of the good guys and he left us way too soon. God bless you and rest peacefully Atom.
Tom Mannion '72, brother of our classmate Melinda Mannion O'Brien who died in 2006, told us about David passing away from an aortic embolism. Dave was #48 - a running back for the NA tigers and went on to play at several colleges in Kansas and Texas, where he got married, started a very successful bakery, raised three children, and retired. His nick name was “Atom” derived from the cartoon Atom Ant. David's oldest son Chris was named after another classmate - Chris Devlin.
Robbie Sutton, Dave’s wife, told us the following: Dave and Robbie met through mutual friends while both were working at a wholesale bakery. They were married 27 ½ years. The own 5 acres and were walking and jogging with one of Robbie’s friends when Dave suddenly fell down. Robbie and her friend tried to revive him, but, to no avail. Robbie and Dave’s oldest daughter chose to get married on Dave’s birthday several months later in front of 500 guests. It was a wonderful celebration and so much support was given to the family that day.
Chris Devlin: Dave was an inspiring football player and friend. He always had a smile and was easy to be around. Dave had a heart and desire for winning that made us all better players. I last saw him in Texas when he stopped by our locker room at the Cotton Bowl to pay me a visit. We got together several times that week and though we had not seen each other in four years our friendship was immediately renewed and strengthened. He put me at ease showing no awkwardness or reserve around my Penn State team mates he didn't know. We were team mates and NA Tigers. I was shocked to hear of his passing. I am blessed for having had his friendship, however brief. It is the early relationships in my life that are the most indelibly written on my heart. Dave, along with my classmates at NA, helped shape me and are a part of me today; in large or small parts. I appreciate you all and it is an honor for me to honor Dave Sutton.
Steve Wolff wrote: What Dave lacked in physical stature, he more than made up for with a heart of a Tiger, as well as the heart of a warm, kind, and compassionate person. No challenge was ever too big for Dave. He knew what he wanted and where he was going, then quietly pushed forward and got it done. When the odds were against him, Dave was at his best – he simply refused to let anything hold him back. After NA, Dave attended college in Kansas & later graduated from North Texas State. When his family relocated from Pittsburgh to Plano, Dave joined them & worked in his Uncle’s supermarket. After learning the bakery side of the business, Dave opened his own very successful bakery. Throughout high school, Dave worked part-time at a nursing home, as well as odd jobs for a doctor. He used the bulk of his earnings to help out with family expenses & what was left enabled him to buy his own car – a red VW – and pay for everything else he needed. When I left for Basic Training, I had a short layover in Dallas & Dave drove an hour each way to spend 20 minutes with me. A few years later, Dave loaned me some money (his idea, not mine) and when I paid him back, he refused to accept any interest. He was such a loyal friend. I last talked with Dave & his wife Robbie in 1993. At first, I wasn’t sure I had the right guy, because he sounded so much like H. Ross Perot. No more Western PA accent, just pure Texan. I feel honored and proud to have been Dave’s friend. He was truly one of the good guys and he left us way too soon. God bless you and rest peacefully Atom.