About This Memory Space
This page was created for David L. Clapp's family and friends as a place to remember them, to share stories, and to keep their memory close in everyday life.
It is cared for and added to over time by the people who knew them, and everyone is invited to contribute, whether that is a story, a photo, a few words, or a simple note.
Many families visit places like this not just once, but again and again, especially on quiet days or meaningful anniversaries. This page is here for those moments, wherever you are.
A place to return to when you want to feel close again, to remember a moment, or to leave a few words for others to read. Over time, it grows through the voices of everyone who knew and loved them.
Light a Candle Growing
Light a candle to honor David L. Clapp's memory. Each lighting keeps their memory burning bright for 23 hours.
Candle lit burns 23 hours. Come back and light it again after 23 hours to keep the memory burning.
Limited to 5 lightings per hour to prevent abuse.
Memory Wall Growing
Stories, photos, and memories shared by people who knew David L. Clapp. This is the heart of this space—a collection that grows as more people contribute.
No memories posted yet. Be the first to share a story or memory.
Life & Legacy
David L. Clapp crafted a life rich with intellectual curiosity, athletic enthusiasm, and unwavering family bonds, leaving behind a tapestry of stories from classrooms, ballfields, and genealogical quests that inspired all who knew him.
Born in Indianapolis to Leland Quayle Clapp and Margaret Elizabeth Walker Clapp, David embarked on a journey shaped by exploration and education. His high school days at Thomas Carr Howe ended with a 1961 diploma, followed by a Spanish degree from Indiana University in 1965, enriched by a transformative year living with a host family in Lima, Peru. He deepened his expertise with a Master's in Latin American Studies from the same institution. Marriage to Roberta Jean Bandy in 1978 brought joy and two children into his world. Retirement allowed him to immerse in ancestry research—tracing roots to the 1600s—while savoring history books, family time, and companionship with his dog Quinn.
David's 25 years teaching Spanish across four Indiana high schools ignited a passion for language and culture in countless students. Transitioning to support roles, he aided refugees and families within the IPS School District. Later, he guided study abroad and international students at Indiana State University, Butler University, and Wabash College, fostering global connections and cross-cultural understanding.
Photos of Life
Family & Loved Ones
David's world revolved around the simple pleasures of home, where he savored quiet evenings with Roberta 'Bobbie' Bandy Clapp, his partner of 47 years, and their loyal dog Quinn. He took immense pride in daughter Sarah Elizabeth Clapp and her fiancé Christopher Cason, whom he embraced like a son, while cherishing memories with daughter-in-law Bethany Clapp and granddaughter Olivia Lynn Clapp. Though grief marked the loss of son Matthew Alexander Clapp in 2022, along with parents Leland and Margaret, David's warmth extended to brother Thomas Walker Clapp, his wife Laura Zolad Clapp, their three children—Drew, Elizabeth, and Jonathan—and eight grandchildren in Minnesota, binding the family through shared history and enduring affection.
Remembered by Friends & Family
Tributes from across David's circles echo his vibrant spirit, with many recalling his infectious zeal for baseball lore, his scholarly adventures abroad, and the steady kindness that made him a pillar for students and kin alike.
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