Master Sergeant Dav Edward Van Den Heede, United States Marine Corps (retired) , passed away Thursday, March 26, 2026 at his home in Peidmont, SD. He was 69 years old.

Born on April 27th, 1956, in Portland, OR to Clarence Van Den Heede and Elizabeth (Bette) Van Den Heede. Dav’s childhood was spent in SW Portland, OR in the Multnomah Village area. He was a graduate of Andrew Jackson High School in 1974; where he was known for wild antics such as streaking through the school cafeteria.

Dav enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1981 where had a very successful career. He attended Assault Amphibian Vehicle School Battalion for his training to be an Assault Amphibian Vehicle repairman/technician. Upon completion, he went to the Assault Amphibian Vehicle Test Branch. Dav then served in the Persian Gulf War, where he was on the team that trained the Marines on the Line Charge Kit. He then went to The Basic School to support the training of Marine Officers. He served in various capacities but prior to his retirement, he was the Maintenance Chief for Delta Company 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion. He was very proud and honored to serve along his brothers in the 2D Assault Amphibian Battalion.

He received many medals and honors during his 20+ years of service; notably the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and 2 Combat Action Ribbons. He was a mentor to many Marines and always had an open door for them. He was a leader to many and led with the motto of never asking more of others than what he was willing to give himself. He was devoted to the Marine Corps and the men he served with; when asked to give a story or quote, they shared that everything Top V said and shared would have been too inappropriate to write on paper.

Following his retirement from the Marine Corps, Dav moved to Piedmont, South Dakota. Dav became Superintendent at Tomahawk Country Club in Deadwood and the Executive Golf Course in Rapid City. He was known to cruise around on his golf cart and say “bet you wish you had my job.” In his final career, he worked as a Foreman at the Black Hills National Cemetery. This job allowed him to stay connected to the military as he participated in honoring the last wishes of fellow service members.

Dav said “he was the best retired person he knew.” He loved his four-wheel rides in the Hills and afternoon beers with his buddies at Matt’s Place. It was known that if you saw one of Dav’s rigs in the parking lot, that a good laugh and a good time was to be had.

Dav was a lover of all the dogs he had throughout his lifetime. He always had to “get home to feed his kids.”

Dav leaves behind his girlfriend of 10 years, Dawn Johnson and her daughter Kinlee. He is survived by his daughters and their husbands; Michelle and Shawn Cole (North Dakota), Nichole and Rian Olsrud (Oregon) and his 2 grandchildren, Logan and Harper Olsrud.

He is preceded in death by his Mother Bette Van Den Heede and Father Clarence Van Den Heede.