David “Dave” Laurence Hares

David “Dave” Laurence Hares, age 73, of Saline, Michigan, passed from this world to heaven on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, after a 6-month battle with strokes.  Dave died under hospice care at the home he shared with his wife, Susan (Sue), and two adult daughters, Ruth and Deborah (Debbie).  David was born in Corning, NY, on May 18, 1952,  to George Bigelow Hares and Doris Mabel (Harrison) Hares.  He married Susan Kay Erickson on June 20, 1981.  Susan and David felt that their 44-year marriage improved every year. One of their joys in retirement was being able to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner together – even during Dave’s last 5-month health battle.

David is survived by his wife, Sue, his daughters Ruth and Debbie, his sister Janice (Jan) Harvey, his brother-in-law Tom Erickson, his sister-in-law Marilyn (Erickson) Tears and her husband Nelson Tears, three nieces (Kristine, Meghan and Katherine) and their spouses, two nephews (David and John) and their spouses, cousins from Hares and Erickson clans, “adopted” (honorary) family members, and a host of friends.   

Dave had three different types of jobs in his career, but his passion was building and tinkering with equipment. Dave graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Hope College. His first job was with Corning Medical Instruments, where he worked on one of the first automated blood gas analyzers.  As part of this job, he designed mechanisms to pressurize the blood storage test tubes. Dave’s second type of job was building computer networks from 1977 to 2002.  David’s third job was as an IT consultant. Dave was also a mechanical genius. He could put together any equipment or motor he took apart.  His first experiment was taking apart and reassembling the breakfast toaster when he was four.     

Dave’s passions were his family, his church, model airplanes and boats, tinkering with tractors, boats, guns, and finding the “best” tools.  Dave and Sue spent a lifetime working and playing together. They met while both worked at ADP Network Services. Later in 2000, together they founded Next Hop Technologies (a high-tech company). Dave introduced Sue to the joys of model airplanes.  Being a good father was a key goal of Dave’s life.  After Ruth was born in 1986, they hiked to the top of one of the Sleeping Bear Dunes with Ruth in one backpack and the model airplanes in another.  He happily spent hours working on school projects with his daughters.  As his daughters grew into artists, he saved their paintings, sculptures, and photographs, and he encouraged them to show their work at art shows. One of the happiest days during his 5 months of struggling with strokes in 2025 was when he attended an art show where Ruth showed her photographs.  Dave had an amazing ability to forgive and go on when life was disappointing.

Friends may join the family for a time of visitation on Monday, November 10th from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at the First United Methodist Church of Saline. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Dr. Jim Tuttle as Officiant. Following the service inurnment will be held in the Church Columbarium, and a luncheon will be held at the Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Dave’s name may be made to the Saline Methodist Fellowship, P.O. Box 321, Saline, MI 48176. To leave a memory you have of Dave, to sign his online guestbook or for directions please visit www.rbfhsaline.com. Please share with us any pictures or memories you have of Dave on this website.