David Louis “Louie” Depew

Dave was born on April 15, 1961, in Munising. (proud Yooper!), the only child of John “Jack” and Linda (Prato) Depew. He spent his childhood making friends and listening to rock and roll records in Detroit, and the U.P. before graduating from high school in Norway, where he was both a football star and Homecoming King. His kind nature, generosity, and good humor made him “Mr. Popular” everywhere that he went.

Upon graduation, Dave attended Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich. for three years, studying sales before dropping out because he didn’t want to sell people things they didn’t want to buy with money they didn’t have. Instead, he decided to take a risk and pursue his dream career: radio.

He approached his father, with whom he was very close, to work out a deal–if Dave maintained a 4.0 and worked, his dad would support him through an associate’s degree in radio broadcasting at Brown Institute in Minneapolis. Two years, many night shifts at 7/11, very little sleep, and a 4.0 later, and Dave was off and running!

Dave had a long and successful career in radio, spanning multiple states, formats, and stations. His passion for music and people (and GREAT radio voice) made him shine, whether he was building a rock and roll station from the ground up in North Dakota, DJing Top 40 in Wisconsin, or doing voice-overs for country music in Michigan.

Listeners from the Fox Cities area might recognize Dave as “David Louis” from WKAU, 99.7 The Heat, WKFX, WOZZ, and 93 Rock, “Bubba Depew” from 99 Country, and “Louie” from Louie and Maino in the Morning on 94.3 The Drive. He also voiced and wrote countless commercials–if you have lived in the Fox Cities for more than a few weeks, chances are good that you’ve heard him on the TV or radio!

While working as a radio DJ at WKAU in Kaukauna, Wis., in 1984, Dave met radio station traffic manager Allison, of Appleton, Wis. The two were good friends for years before Dave realized that she was the love of his life. They were married at the Houdini Museum in Appleton, on Dec. 10, 1994. Family and friends still talk about the wild wedding reception held in their basement after. The party continued in the years to follow, growing with the addition of two children: Jennifer, born in 1996, and Jackson, born in 1997, as well as (over the years) four dogs, two cats, a parakeet, a hamster, and many goldfish. Dave was a wonderful, devoted, and “extremely cool” father who passed on his love of music to both of his kids.  

Dave is preceded in death by his father John “Jack” Depew of Norway, as well as his uncle and namesake David Depew, of Munising; his grandparents, Bertha and Willard Depew of Munising and Vida and Kenneth Prato of Munising; and his beloved childhood dog, Bingo.

Dave is survived by his wife–the best wife ever–Allison; his #1 road tripper, favorite amateur DJ, and daughter, Jenni; his football, golfing, grilling buddy, and son, Jackson; his two dogs, Mila (#2 road tripper) and Grace; his loving mother, Linda; his aunts and uncles, Jim (Laurie) Depew, Beverley (David) Ghiardi, Molly (George) Schmidt, John (Marcia) Prato, and Allen (Judy) Prato; his best man and special cousin Tom (Peg) Ghiardi; and countless cousins and friends.

There will be a visitation from 4 to 7 p.m., with a service at 7 p.m., on Tuesday, Aug. 24, at Brettschneider-Trettin-Nickel Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 606 N Oneida St, Appleton. There will also be a celebration of life later in the year to be announced at a later date.

Friends, family, listeners, and anyone whose life Dave touched are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in honor of his namesake, Uncle David Depew, who lost his life at 18 in the Korean War.

A special thanks to Miriah at St. Vincent in Green Bay, Wis. for her kind and dedicated care.

Dave inspired all of us to be a better, kinder person. He will always be loved and dearly missed. In his memory, please crack open a Stroh’s Bohemian, Diet Faygo Cola, or sip some nice bourbon–whichever you would prefer. Rock on!