David Scott Laustsen Esq. Service Information

David S. Laustsen, Esq. of Doylestown, PA died peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving and devoted family on Friday, January 6, 2023.  He was 75.

David was the beloved husband of 50 years to Jean Barnum Laustsen.

Born in Racine, Wisconsin he was the son of the late LaVern and Gwyn LePoidevin Laustsen.

Dave graduated from Central High School in Aberdeen, SD.  He studied Radio/TV/Film at Northwestern University.  Dave had an impressive career in broadcasting starting with an internship at WLWI Indianapolis working alongside a young David Letterman (a lowly weatherman at the time). 

Dave was hired by KEMO-TV in San Francisco where he met his future wife, Jean Barnum.  He wasted no time asking her out on their first date, horseback riding on the beaches of Sausalito.  Dave and Jean moved to Cincinnati to work for WXIX-TV, got married, and eventually moved back to Aberdeen, SD.

Dave acquired a broadcast license and built/managed two thriving radio stations; KKAA-AM and KQ95-FM.   At only 29 years old, Dave was elected to the South Dakota State House serving from 1977-1984.  During that time, Jean gave birth to their two children; Sacha and Darren.   Dave later was elected to the South Dakota State Senate serving from 1985-1987.  He left office after being accepted to Temple Law School, which brought the Laustsen family to Doylestown, PA.

Dave graduated from Temple Law School in 1990.  He went on to act as deputy chief counsel to the Pennsylvania Crime Commission and president of the Investigative Roundtable on Organized Crime.  He also started his own law practice in Doylestown.  David served on Doylestown Borough Council, representing Ward 3, for five years.  He received a standing ovation when he resigned in 2015.

Dave’s sense of humor was wonderfully bizarre and irreverent.   He was a connoisseur of the tackier side of American pop culture.  He was fond of rubber chickens, cheeky political figurines, monster movie memorabilia, Buckaroo Banzai, and was even known to wear light up sneakers on occasion.

Dave was also a serial hobbyist.  He enjoyed tinkering with ham radios, building model railroads in his backyard, and creating stop-motion movies.  He was generous with his time, lending countless hours volunteering for Doylestown Township, Doylestown Historical Society, and Town and County Players.

What Dave enjoyed the most was traveling around the world with his wife Jean, drinking dirty martinis with his kids, and acting like a monkey for his grandkids.

In addition to his wife Jean, David is survived by his loving children: Sacha O’Flynn and her husband Paul of Marble Head, MA and Darren Laustsen and his wife Kelly of Perkasie.  He is also survived by his sister Judy Gruebele and her husband Orville, and his three adoring granddaughters: Nora, Carter, Camille.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Friday Evening, January 13, 2023 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM and to a receiving of relatives and friends on Saturday, January 14, 2023 from 10:30am until his Funeral Service 11:30AM in the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 241 East Butler Avenue (at Sandy Ridge Rd.) New Britain, PA 18901.  His interment will follow at Doylestown Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to The Lewy Body Dementia Association at https://www.lbda.org/donate/

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