David L. McKenna, DDS
May 22, 1959-Feb. 22, 2022
Palo Alto, CA

David McKenna, known mostly as Dr. Dave, Doc, Uncle Dave, Squirty or 22, died unexpectedly, of natural causes, on 02/22/22 at his peaceful condo in Tahoe.

He was born in Palo Alto, the youngest of 4 children of Dr. James B. McKenna, Jr. and Elena McKenna Colyer (formerly Twist). A natural athlete, and a scholar, Dave was a competitor, and became an expert skier at an early age, racing the rest of his family down those Black Diamond runs. In High School, he played Varsity football, soccer, and baseball, while remaining focused on academic achievement. He was the recipient of the Bay Area Scholar Athlete award his senior year.

Dave was adventurous and fully engaged in life; he loved people and they loved him. He had many life-long friends, and was known for his optimism, athleticism, compassion, and contagious laughter.

Dave graduated from Cubberley High School, the University of Colorado in Boulder, and the UOP School of Dentistry in San Francisco. Dave practiced dentistry at McKenna Family Dentistry in Palo Alto for 35 years, the first 17 years alongside his father, JB McKenna, with his sister Judi, a dental hygienist, an integral part of his team for more than 30 years. Dave carried on the tradition of McKenna Family Dentistry providing state of the art, excellent dental care in a fun environment. He turned the dreaded trip to the dentist into an uplifting experience. He brought his two dogs in to work with him, Rylee and Kodi Jo, who rested on patients’ laps while he worked meticulously.

Dave was true to himself and valued the ideals of freedom, fairness and fun more than anything. He also cherished good team work— whether in football, softball, or at his dental practice. Whoever was on his team, was like family.

Dave appreciated the creativity, curiosity and community of the human spirit. Art, music, and BBQs fed his soul. He often played ping pong in his front yard full of plants and curios, with friends and family passing through.

Dave and his Dad shared a saying, “Wanna be different… be yourself”. Dave was not quick to judge people, and celebrated those who expressed themselves freely, as he did himself.

After graduating from dental school, Dave married Suzanne McKenna (formerly Freeman) and they had 3 children, Kelly, Holly and Mitchell.  Dave loved and was very proud of all 3 of his children, always encouraging them to follow their hearts.

He may have been known for his thriving dental practice, his athleticism, or his decorative front yard, but beyond that he will be remembered as a big-hearted human who shared love with all whom he came across.

Dave was predeceased by his father, JB McKenna, Jr. and is survived by his mother, Elena Colyer, his stepfather Jim Colyer, his children, Kelly, Holly and Mitchell, former wife Suzanne McKenna, brother James B McKenna III, sisters Nancy Vandervoort and Judi Edwards, brother in law Mark Edwards, niece Ashley Robertson, her husband Mark Robertson, and grand nieces Kiara and Ava, niece Vienna Vandervoort, her boyfriend Cameron Crosby, grand niece Victoria and grand nephew Connor, niece Hana Vandervoort, nephew Jack Vandervoort, his cherished neighbors niece Erica Edwards, her husband Brandon Daniel, grand niece Jaydin and grand nephew Jaxon, and many cousins and chosen family who continue his legacy.

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