David George Claredon Nasby

David George Claredon Nasby died March 20, 2026, while residing at Cascade Creek Memory Care in Rochester, MN. He was 92 years old.

David was born June 10, 1933, in Jackson, MN to Clarence and Georgia (Johnson) Nasby. The family moved often during his early years but eventually settled in Minneapolis where he was a singer, pianist and football player at Minnehaha Academy, graduating in 1951. He attended St. Olaf college and graduated with a bachelor's degree in music education in 1956.

David taught in Kasson, MN for a few years before serving 2 years in the army as a medical lab technician, stationed in Homer, Alaska. Upon returning home he met Doris Anderson, who was rooming at the house owned by his parents.

Doris and David were married in 1961 and moved to Bode, IA, where David taught K-12 music. In 1963 they welcomed a daughter, Dale Ann. He took a job in Chatfield, MN a few years later and they welcomed a son, Dean Robert, in 1965. In 1969 the family moved to Rochester, MN, where he and Doris lived in the same house for the next 53 years.

David taught general music and chorus at Central and Willow Creek junior high schools during the 70s, and was choir director at Our Savior's Lutheran, assistant conductor for the Rochester Male Chorus and director of the Rochester Boys' Chorus. He also earned a master's degree in music composition from the University of Minnesota. In 1985 he began teaching elementary music at numerous schools throughout town, and started an "extended singing" group for gifted young singers.

After retiring, he continued his musical endeavors playing piano during the lunch hour at the atrium of the Mayo Clinic, where he set out a pile of "fakebooks" for patients to find and sing along with their favorite old tunes. David also arranged music for various ensembles, notably string quartets, and had a business composing original works for weddings and special events, which he did in conjunction with Doris, who was herself an accomplished violinist.

David will be remembered for his love of puns and witty sayings printed on T-shirts, wind-up stuffed animals that sing golden oldies, and cheery conversations with neighbors and grocery store clerks.

He is survived by his children, Dale Ann (Mike Sadowski) Nasby and Dean (Leah) Langby; grandchildren Demetria (Joe) Schuneman, Tatyana German, Olivia Langby and Alice Langby; and great-granddaughter Elowen Schuneman. He was preceded in death by his wife Doris Nasby, sister Lilamae Iverson, and parents Clarence and Georgia Nasby.

As per David's wishes, no memorial service will be held, but donations can be made in his honor to The Lyra Baroque Orchestra of St. Paul, MN, Cascade Creek Memory Care in Rochester, or an organization of your choice. Condolences can be mailed to Dale Nasby, 61139 260th Ave., Mantorville, MN; or Dean Langby, N6781 County Road H, Elk Mound, WI.