David Besaw, aged 67, went on home on Monday November, 28 2011 at his house due to complications of his heart. Dave was born on May 4, 1944. His parents were Bernard and Ella (Bowman) Besaw. Dave was the youngest of twelve children. Indian health has been the major focus for over 40 years of Dave's life as he was instrumental in starting up the Stockbridge-Munsee tribe's first health care center in the early 1970's. He was the first Community Health Representative (CHR) for the Tribe in 1970. Dave then worked for the Indian Health Service in education for two years. In 1974, Dave became the first health care employee for the Tribe, eventually being hired as the director of the clinic for 19½ years. Besaw held that position until his retirement due to health reasons in November 1992. He continued his work in the health field even in retirement as the Activities Director for the Ella Besaw Center for a while. Dave has also served with numerous tribal organizations, including the Tribal Council; the Tribal Gaming Board, Personnel Review Committee and a board that oversees a community based residential center for the elderly. He has served on the Wisconsin Epidemiology Committee through Great Lakes Inter-Tribal, Inc., the Wisconsin Arthritis Board, the Land Committee, and was currently serving on the Health Board and Child Protection Board. Dave enjoyed music, singing, and his study and collection of natural medicines, following in the footsteps of his mother Ella Besaw, a tribal medicine woman, for whom the Center is named. Besaw has also been teaching on tribal medicine in his later years. He taught the general public at Indian Summer, individuals within and out of the Community, and a group of doctors in Wausau at the Wisconsin Epidemiology Conference dealing with Native American diseases. Dave is survived by four sisters; Bette Besaw, Lena Gardner, Elda Vele and Margie Reimer. He was preceded in death by: his parents; and brothers, Leo Besaw, Cyril Stick, Jack "John" Besaw, Harvey Stick, Gordon Stick, Owen Stick and Howard Stick Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, December 1, 2011 at the Lutheran Church of the Wilderness in Bowler with the Rev. Melinda Shriner officiating. Burial will be in the Stockbridge Indian Burial Grounds. Visitation will be held at the Dave Besaw residence located at W12813 River Road, Bowler after 4pm on Tuesday until the procession leaves for the church on Thursday. Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano is assisting the family with the arrangements. www.swedbergfuneralhome.com