David Chesnut Obituary

Dr. David G. Chesnut, 71, of Wilmington passed away Friday, January 5, 2024. His wife, Ruth Thomson Chesnut, survives. They were married on July 27, 1981.

Dr. Chesnut was born December 9, 1952 in Lima, Ohio, son of the late Dr. Graham Howard Chesnut and Joyce Churchill Chesnut. He served in the United States Navy, both on active duty and as a reservist in the U.S. Navy Dental Corps and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Commander after 30 years of service. He received his undergraduate degree in microbiology from The Ohio State University and his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry.

Dr. Chesnut opened his dental practice in Wilmington in 1980 and provided care to the community for over 40 years before retiring in 2021. In his free time, he enjoyed coaching youth baseball, supporting his children's sports teams, rooting for the Ohio State Buckeyes, skiing, biking, kayaking, woodworking, and golfing, especially his annual JJP golf trip with fellow alumni of The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and other practitioners from throughout the Midwest.

In addition to his wife, Dr. Chesnut is survived by his three children, Ryan (Susie) Chesnut of Columbus, Ohio, Caitlin (Tony) Falk of Columbus, Ohio, and Kyle (Katie) Chesnut of Columbus, Ohio. He is also survived by two sisters, Cinda Kesler of Orient, Ohio and Linda Blackwell of Columbus, Ohio, as well as four grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on Friday, January 12, 2024 at Smith Funeral Home at 327 N. South Street in Wilmington, Ohio with a funeral service at the same location beginning immediately afterwards. The burial will be held at Sugar Grove Cemetery at 297 W. Truesdell Street in Wilmington, Ohio after the conclusion of the funeral. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dr. Chesnut's memory may be made to The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, c/o The Ohio State University Foundation, 14 E. 15th Avenue Columbus, OH 43201 or online at giveto.osu.edu/makeagift. For more information or to leave a note of condolence visit www.smithandsonfuneralhomes.com.