David Bahrman

His life is inseparable from his extraordinary medical history. He was born with aortic stenosis and had his first bout with endocarditis at age 18; open heart surgeries to replace his aortic valve took place in 1976, 1978, 1985, 1989 and 2005, when he had his second bout with endocarditis.

He was a lifelong farmer and a regional director for Michigan Farm Bureau since 2001. He loved farming, and was inducted into the Michigan Farmer’s Hall of Fame in 2024. Because he enjoyed good health between surgeries, until recent years he could still outwork most teenagers when it came to handling square bales but was happiest behind the wheel of a tractor doing field work. He also loved the UP, and when travelling for Farm Bureau always felt home free upon reaching this side of the bridge.

When his health deteriorated over the past few years due to additional chronic conditions, he simply left the hay handling to others and soldiered on. In the spring of 2025, however, he contracted endocarditis for a third time and it went undiagnosed for so long that his survival of a 6th aortic valve replacement became impossible despite the almost divine intervention of the same renowned heart surgeon who had saved his life in Minnesota in 2005.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 37 years, Karen, his twin brother Dan (Pam) Bahrman, his other siblings Steve (Barb) Bahrman, Barry (Michelle) Bahrman, Kris Sharp, Paulette (Sam) Massenburg and Linda (Marty) Talsma, numerous nieces and nephews including Andy and Breanna to whom he was particularly close, and dogs Gabby and Bambi.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Arline, and dogs Fraulein, Max, Max, Chip, Molly, Liesl and Gretl. He famously said that he would never marry a woman with dogs or horses, but came to love the dogs and tolerate the horses.

Be glad for him that he is free of the catastrophic medical issues that led to his death, and consider a donation to the American Heart Association in his memory.

There will be no formal memorial service per his own wishes, but an outdoor gathering at his beloved farm in Rumely, where some of his cremains will be scattered, will be held when weather permits.

David’s obituary and online guestbook may be viewed and signed at bowermanfuneralhome.net.