David Howard Laposky

David Laposky of Cherokee, age 69, passed away Friday, July 7, 2023 at his home residence.. The burial service will be private with a memorial service on Sunday, August 13th from 1:30PM - 3:30PM at the Depot in Cherokee. The Greenwood Schubert Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements In lieu of sending flowers, please make a donation to the Cousteau Society www.cousteau.org in David’s honor.

David Howard Laposky was born in Cherokee, Iowa on December 15, 1953. He spent his entire life living in Cherokee except for a brief moment while studying drafting in the early 1970s.

Many local Cherokeans will remember Laposky as “Tan Man” from his days at Washington High School where he seemingly could not ever absorb the sun’s rays during the summer months. A student during the late 1960s, he absorbed the counter-culture of the day with his Peter Max posters, Iron Butterfly LPs and R. Crumb comics.

He was known as “Cherokee’s Rembrandt,” painting portraits of loved ones (both human and canine). He delighted in seeing the reaction of customers who had commissioned one of his original oil paintings. For Laposky, original artwork was not just for the wealthy, but everyday folks who wanted a piece with meaning and sentiment to adorn their walls. His attention to detail and the formal elements of his work made him a well-known and respected artist in the area.

An avid science fiction fan, Laposky was a life-long Trekkie, but also enjoyed the Star Wars universe. He often discussed the latest blockbuster releases with his niece and nephews. When they would visit during the holidays, he was quick to offer to buy the tickets for their shared cinema experience. 

A huge fan of pop music of all genres, he shared his love for Madonna, Lady Gaga and Black Pink with his family. He maintained a vintage hi-fi stereo throughout his life preferring to listen to his favorite songs on their original physical formats replete with album art and liner notes.

Laposky’s keen interest in the world at large informed his sensibility as an artist and individual. He relied on help from the local librarians and his family to gather information for him having never once used the internet or stepped foot on an airplane his entire life. His travels took place through reading and watching television shows about aliens, UFOs and the great mysteries of life.

Survivors include his two nephews and niece - Matthew Laposky of Sioux City, Mark Laposky of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Kimberly Laposky of Omaha, Nebraska and his great niece and great nephew, Ella and Finn.