David C. Wollstadt ’63 died on June 26, 2023, in Bangor, Maine.
David Carl Wollstadt ’63
(The following was provided by the Bangor Daily News on June 29, 2023)
Old Town – David Carl Wollstadt of Old Town, passed away June 26, 2023, at the Maine Veterans Home in Bangor.
David was born June 14, 1941, in Rockford, Illinois, to Paul Wollstadt and Elzada Rogers. He graduated from Millburn New Jersey High School, Class of 1959. David was also a graduate of Bowdoin College, Class of 1963. with a degree in government. He received his master of arts degree in political science at St. Mary’s, San Antonio, TX.
David began his long journey in journalism at the tender age of fourteen. While still a high school student where he also was editor of his school newspaper he wrote for the local newspaper of Millburn and Short Hills, New Jersey, The Item. During his time at Bowdoin, he was editor-in-chief for the school newspaper, The Bowdoin Orient. During this time, he was also a reporter for The Brunswick Record. David was covering a Topsham, Maine, selectman’s meeting for the Brunswick Record and testing new changes to “Freedom of Information Act.” The Topsham selectmen were not pleased with David’s presence at their meeting and threatened to send David “flying through the window” and gave him the choice to leave under his own power or be forcibly thrown out.
David worked as a reporter for The Hartford Times, Connecticut, 1963-64. In 1970-71, he was a reporter at the Rockford Morning Star, Illinois. David was a copy editor for the Baltimore Sun, Maryland, in 1971-1972. In 1972-74, he was employee communications writer and editor for Pfizer, Inc., New York, New York.
From 1964 to 1970, David’s journalism career was on pause while he served in the military. He was a captain in the Air Force serving at Kelly AFB in San Antonio, TX, Shu Lin Kou AS, in Taiwan and Tan Son Nhut AFT in Saigon, Vietnam. For his service in Vietnam David received the Bronze Star while serving with the 377th Security Police during the Tet Offensive of December 1967 to December 1968.
Ever since his college years at Bowdoin, David had always wanted to return to Maine. His opportunity came in November 1974 when he purchased the Penobscot Times in Old Town. David owned the Times from 1974 until 2002. Under his stewardship, the Times was the recipient of many award-winning articles and advertisements. Dave himself received several awards for excellence in writing.
David has also been a freelance writer since the 1980’s until 2023, specializing in business, community, and school district newsletters. He has written for paper mills, banks, construction businesses, and cities, towns, and school districts from Aroostook County to upstate New York.
For David, his work and his family have always come first, and he has always had a passion for community service and has been an avid supporter of the University of Maine ice hockey teams. Over the years, he has served on the Area United Way Board, the YMCA board, the Maine Press Association board and, more recently, the Old Town Rotary and Old Town School boards.
David was predeceased by his parents; and his brother, Roger Wollstadt. He is survived by his wife, Genie; daughters, Andrea and her husband, Noah, and their children Stella, Luke, Peyton and Lana, of Saco, Maine, Alexis and her husband Younes and daughter Zahra, of Davenport, Florida, Rebecca of Old Town, Rachael of Old Town; and Mary of Brewer; and special sisters-in-law, Mary Nadeau and Corinna. David is also survived by his twin brother, Lloyd, of Rockford, Illinois; nieces Lynn Wollstadt (Illinois), Laura Patterson (Colorado); and nephew, David Wollstadt (California).