David Kenneth Best

Dr. David Kenneth Best, age 53, of Williamsburg, Michigan, passed away at home on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. David was joyfully welcomed into the world on January 9, 1972, in Detroit, Michigan by Dr. Patrick and Joan (Gregg) Best. David was the second of three children who were raised in Novi, Michigan. He attended Our Lady of Victory elementary and middle school in Northville, Michigan, and graduated in 1990 from Roeper High School in Birmingham, Michigan, where he played varsity basketball and baseball and was a gifted student, especially in math and science. He played varsity baseball at and graduated from Kalamazoo College, majoring in Chemistry in 1994. He worked for the Upjohn Chemical Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan, as a chemist before he obtained his Masters in Science from Wayne State University in 1997, in Detroit, Michigan. His academic journey concluded at the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Des Moines University where he received his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine in 2002. David fully financed his medical degree by joining the National Health Service Corps, committing to work in an underserved community for 4 years following graduation. David was board certified in family medicine since 2005 and addiction medicine since 2014. He dedicated his career to treating the underserved and to those suffering with addictions in Northern Michigan. Together with his wife Lindsay, they independently operated Best Medical Services in Traverse City. He cherished the independent work he did for Catholic Charities and various hospice organizations. David was passionate about his patients and the profession. He served on numerous boards over the last 17 years. He was president of the Michigan Osteopathic Association, from 2021-2022. David was president of the Michigan Association of Osteopathic Family Physicians from 2013-2014, and president of the Northern Michigan Osteopathic Association from 2015-2017. Beginning in 2022, he enjoyed serving on the Novello Physicians Organization Board and the Des Moines University Alumni Board. David was a loving son, brother, uncle, husband and father of three beautiful children. He was blessed with a truly compassionate, patient, peace loving and forgiving heart. He met the love of his life, Lindsay Mergos, on a tour of Michigan State, and, while they attended different medical schools, the distance did not stop their friendship from developing into love. They were married on May 17, 2002, at St. Peter’s Church in Mount Clemens, Michigan. David was incredibly smart, kind and athletic. He was a voracious reader and film fan. He possessed a wonderful memory and amazed us with athletic trivia and minute film details. He loved to compete in distance running events up until last November when he ran in an open cross-country race at 52! He loved cycling and even dabbled in some triathlons from time to time. His passion for sports carried on into his parenting and he nurtured whatever his children enjoyed, be it tennis, volleyball, softball or running. David was also a ton of fun and up for anything: tennis, boating, a bike ride or playing a game. He enjoyed a variety of music from 80’s heavy metal to film soundtracks; he loved backyard fires, camping, fish frys and a good beer from time to time. And he loved getting together with his extended family, never missing a gathering. David is survived by his wife Lindsay; children David Jr., Caroline and Maggie; mother, Joan and Aunt Margaret Gregg; sister Catherine Best Scherer (John) and brother Brendan Best (Martha); nieces and nephews, Emily and Jack Scherer, Catherine, Joseph and Michael Best, Molly, Gabriella, Isabella and Lily Ames and Frederick (“Max”) and Katarina Mergos; mother in law Connie Mergos, sister in law Heather Mergos Ames (Tom) and brother in law Fred Mergos; and cousins Kevin and Keiran Best, and Kate Best Shaw, John, Matthew, and Michael Tucker and Suzanne Tucker Hess. He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Patrick Kenneth Best. Friends are welcome to visit with David’s family from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 23, 2025 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth St., Traverse City, Michigan 49684, with a 5:00 p.m. Vigil Service. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m., with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, February 24, 2025 at Christ the King Catholic Church, 3801 Shore Rd., Williamsburg, Michigan 49690. Fr. Christopher Jarvis will officiate. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial donation directly to the Best Family c/o Lindsay Best, or the TART Trails, Inc. (traversetrails.org/give/donate/). Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with David’s family at his tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

David Kenneth Best

January 9, 1972 - February 12, 2025