David John Korb

David John Korb

Born February 4, 1927

          David J. Korb, beloved husband, son, brother, and uncle and a lover of nature and the outdoors, died peacefully on September 6th, 2020, in Plainfield, Indiana, surrounded by his family.

          David John Korb was born in Evansville, Indiana, to Sylvester Daniel Korb and Grace Baird Korb on February 4, 1927. A graduate of Stanley Hall grade school and Bosse High School in Evansville, he attended Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana. He also completed the course of study at the American Laundry and Dry Cleaning Institute in Chicago, Illinois. He joined the U.S. Navy at age 18 after graduating from high school and served as a radioman in the South Pacific. One of the great coincidences of his life was meeting his older brother, Lt. Donald B. Korb, in the harbor of Seoul, Korea, during the last days of World War II.

          After his Navy service, David came home to Evansville to work in the family business, Pearl Laundry and Cleaners. His interest in radio, which began in the Navy, became an important part of his life when he became a ham radio operator -- building his own equipment and home station and talking and corresponding with people from all over the world. 

          He later worked for Sarkes Tarzian Industries in Bloomington, Indiana, where he met his future wife, Doris. They were married in 1984 and loved life on their property, Graceglen, an eighty-acre tree farm located in rural Greene County, Indiana, which he called God’s country. David continued his interest in conserving natural resources by planting evergreen trees, and he and Doris enjoyed observing wildlife, encouraging native plant growth, and especially welcoming family and friends. Upon retirement, they moved to Doris’ hometown of Bicknell, Indiana, to be closer to her family. When health matters dictated, they moved to Cumberland Trace Assisted Living in Plainfield, Indiana, near family caregivers.

          He believed in practical help: for several years he was a mentor/tutor for students in the Greene County school system. He and Doris also initiated a scholarship as part of the Greene County Foundation, an interest they continued throughout their married life.

          This quiet, unassuming, rock-steady, staunch family and friend supporter will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. May he find himself among family, looking out on trees and lakes and mountains, hearing the call of the loons, knowing his memory lives in the hearts of so many who knew him.

          David is survived by his wife, Doris Privett Korb, nieces Anne Shane (David), Martha Goldman (Jon), Sarah Bain (Kevin), nephews Daniel (Susan) and Robert (Lori) Korb, sister-in-law Marjorie Douglass Korb, great nieces and nephews, and many cousins.  He is also survived by his very special nieces-in-law, Becky Weaver and Pam King.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Donald B. Korb, sister-in-law Jean Ogle Korb, and brother Daniel F. Korb. 

          Hall-Baker Funeral Home in Plainfield, Indiana, is handling the arrangements. Services will be private and burial will be in Bicknell, Indiana.

          Memorial gifts may be made to the Greene County Foundation, with “Eastern Greene Advanced Education Fund” in the memo line, 4513 W. State Road 54, Bloomfield, IN 47424.

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