David Lee Aistrup

David Lee Aistrup, age 78, passed away suddenly on September 2, 2026. He was born on January 31, 1948, in Dodge City, Texas, to Jack Delbert Aistrup and Margaret Tinbrink Aistrup. Dave was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and mentor whose kindness, humor, generosity, and love of life touched countless people throughout his years.

Dave graduated from Robert E. Lee High School with the Class of 1966 and went on to attend San Antonio College and Dallas Baptist University. From a young age, he understood the value of hard work. As a young teenager and into his early adult years, Dave worked for the San Antonio Express-News, where he received an Achievement Award that resulted in his first trip to the Hawaiian Islands—a place he immediately fell in love with. He would carry that love of Hawaii throughout his life.

His career later took him to Delta Airlines, where he worked as a Reservations Agent. Dave had a natural ability to connect with people, and he brought both humor and meticulous attention to detail to his work helping passengers with their travel arrangements.

Dave continued his professional career with Vought Aircraft, Thomas Loss Control Enterprises, Texas A&M Engineering Extension, and Oklahoma State University Engineering & Technology Professional Development, from which he retired in 2020. His work in the field of health and safety became much more than a career—it became a mission. At Vought Aircraft and Thomas Loss Control, Dave took great pride in teaching employees how to perform their jobs safely so they could return home to their families at the end of each day injury-free. He continued that mission at Texas A&M and Oklahoma State University, where he trained safety professionals in how to effectively train others and taught them the “Rules of the Road” for the safety profession. He helped develop training classes and instructors when Oklahoma State University’s OSHA program was in its infancy. Dave was especially proud and honored that many of his students remembered him as a knowledgeable professional, a fun instructor, and a teacher whose lessons stayed with them throughout their careers.

Dave believed strongly in giving back to his community. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus Council #5243 and served as chairman of the Christmas Basket Program for more than 20 years. He organized monthly charity golf tournaments benefiting the Christmas Basket Program, called countless Bingo games, cooked for many Fish Fry Nights, and acted, produced, and directed several musical productions for the Knights of Columbus, with proceeds supporting their charitable work.

He also served as a board member of Irving Cares and as its Board President. The organization’s mission of providing people with resources and education to help them rise out of poverty, along with providing food for those in need, reflected Dave’s own desire to help people build better lives. He was also a longtime member of the American Society of Safety Professionals and served as its newsletter chair for many years.

Family was always at the center of Dave’s life. He was active in Indian Princesses with his daughters and Boy Scouts with his son Doug. He loved being surrounded by his children and grandchildren and especially enjoyed the family pool parties where as many of the kids and grandkids as possible could gather for an afternoon of laughter, food, and celebrating life together.

Dave had many interests and hobbies that brought him joy. He was an avid golfer and a devoted crossword puzzle aficionado. He loved cooking for others and was particularly famous within his family for his scrambled eggs, which he proudly taught several family members to make. He also loved fried chicken, hamburgers, tater tots, and watermelon. His fried turkeys became something of a tradition, as he generously prepared them for friends and others while always making sure his family had their own special turkey.

Dave was a romantic at heart and a talented poet. He wrote several poems for his beloved Patricia that will always be cherished by his family. His final poem was written for Pat on her birthday the year before his passing—a lasting expression of the love they shared.

Dave was married to Rosemarie on November 1, 1969. On December 4, 2005, he married Patricia Lee Thomas-Aistrup, with whom he shared the remainder of his life. Dave and Pat shared a love of travel and adventure, especially their beloved Kauai, returning there at least once each year and sometimes more often. They also shared a great affection for the Texas Rangers and began attending their Spring Training games in Surprise, Arizona. In March of this year, Dave and Pat took their fifth wheel and two dogs to Spring Training, continuing to make memories together.

Dave loved taking Pat skiing, whether waiting beside the fire in the lodge while she skied or making the drive back into town and returning a few short hours later to carry her skis and boots off the mountain. He was always ready for a new adventure, and he found great happiness in sharing those adventures with the people he loved.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Jack Delbert Aistrup and Margaret Tinbrink Aistrup; his sister, Dinah Jones; and numerous aunts and uncles.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Patricia; his children, Robin Ballard, Hollie Aistrup, Angela Webb, and Douglas (Eileen) Aistrup; his stepdaughter, Christa Lee (Cecil) Ray; his grandchildren, Kayla Ballard, Kassidy (Eric) Thorp, Jason (Jase) Ballard II, Morgan Yount, Jack (Lilian) Aistrup, Emily (Josh) Gustafson, Leanna Yanez, Bennett Webb, and Ethan Webb; and his great-grandchildren, Albert Puebla, Jimmy Brown, and Victoria Gustafson. He is also survived by his sister, Deb Wertheim; his aunt, Dorothy Aistrup; and numerous cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Dave’s honor to Metroport Meals on Wheels and/or Irving Cares, organizations that reflect his lifelong commitment to serving and caring for others.

Dave leaves behind a legacy measured not only in the years he lived, but in the lives he influenced. He taught people how to work safely, gave his time to those in need, opened his home and kitchen to others, encouraged his students, served his community, embraced adventure, and loved his family wholeheartedly. Above all, he was a kind, loving, fun, and giving man whose presence made life better for the people fortunate enough to know him. He will be deeply missed and forever loved.