Dave Thomas Hellen was born on April 15, 1945 in Emporia, Kansas to Charles O. Hellen and Josephine M. Rathke. He was preceded in death by his parents and two older brothers, Charles D. Hellen and Daniel J. Hellen. He is survived by his wife Carol L. (Barnett) Hellen and three sons Curt, Paul, and Mark. He was blessed with 10 grandchildren. He was loved and respected by all that knew him and will be greatly missed.

Dave was raised in Olpe, Kansas and graduated from high school there in 1963. He attended Kansas State University and graduated in 1968 with a degree in Civil Engineering and later became a licensed Professional Engineer. He married Carol L. Barnett in 1968 and they resided in Oklahoma City where he worked at Tinker Air Force Base for 4 years and then with the FAA in the Airports District office at Wiley Post Airport until retirement with 39 years of service. Dave will be remembered for his dedication to family and faith, reserved easy-going personality, integrity, humility, sense of humor, and love of the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting every chance he got with family and friends. He hunted everything, but his passion was feathered game, including, wild turkey, pheasant, prairie chicken, dove, duck, and geese.

Dave passed away peacefully in Oklahoma City on September 3, 2023 after suffering from dementia for several years.

He was loved by all that knew him and will be greatly missed.