David Bancroft's Obituary
High School Educator, “Voice of the Spartans”
David John Bancroft, 71, died on March 18, 2023, from sudden and unexpected cardiac arrest while snorkeling on vacation in French Polynesia.
Dave was born on August 21, 1951, in Davenport, Iowa to John and Elaine Bancroft. When he was ten, his family moved from Iowa to California as part of the great teacher migration of the 1960s, where they settled in San Bernardino.
Dave attended Arrowview Junior High and graduated from San Bernardino High School in 1969. From an early age he followed sports and played baseball and varsity basketball. He was also involved in the youth groups at Del Rosa United Methodist Church and played an active leadership role. It was at church where the Bancrofts became life-long friends with the Ulmer family. It was Dave’s enthusiasm and influence that made the Ulmer kids big sports fans.
Due to a high draft number, as this was during the Viet Nam war, he was able to complete his college studies uninterrupted and graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Uncertain about his career path, Dave spent several years working in retail at Montgomery Wards paint department and managing The Wherehouse records stores. During this time, he took telecommunication courses at San Bernardino Valley College, where he displayed a talent for public address announcing. Dave eventually decided to return to education and obtained his teaching credential in mathematics. He was hired by San Bernardino Unified School District and spent his entire 26-year career at San Gorgonio High School. Early on he was recruited to serve as the public address announcer for football, basketball and track. Dave became known as “The Voice of the Spartans” for his professional, upbeat and unbiased commentary. When Dave retired in 2014, he was inducted into the San Gorgonio High School Athletic Hall of Fame. With renewed energy in retirement, Dave increased his hours with San G sports adding announcing at baseball, wrestling, soccer matches and scorekeeping with volleyball.
In 2005 one of Dave’s math students suggested he call their mutual family friend, Beth Ulmer, for a date. That was the beginning of a second chance at love for Beth and Dave. Both their families and friends were delighted to witness this 38 years-in-the-making union at The Wayfarer’s Chapel in Palos Verdes in 2007. Together they shared their passion for sports, dogs and music. This resulted in many trips to Disney Concert Hall, national parks, USC football games, dog parks, The Mission Inn, University of Oregon women’s volleyball games, and Club Med.
Throughout his life, Dave had an abiding love of nature and the beauty of the earth. He spent weekends camping and hiking. Dave loved dogs and they (Lucy 1, Molly, Amy, Lucy 2 and the many pups he dog-sat) loved him back. He was an accomplished sailor from outings on his family Hobie Catamaran. Dave also volunteered countless hours reading newspapers for Audio Vision Radio for the Blind. We mourn the loss of his great brain, housing endless sports statistics, world history and Jeopardy! answers.
Dave is survived by his wife of 15 years, Bethany Ulmer of San Bernardino, his father, John F. Bancroft of Redlands, brother Gary Bancroft (Sue) of Crestline, and brother Robert Bancroft (Celeste Langstaff) of Vallejo CA. He will be sorely missed by his brother-in-law, Mark Ulmer (Emily) of Yorba Linda, sister-in-law, Lisa Ulmer of Long Beach, niece Devin Parrish (David) of Rochester, MI, nephew, Matthew Ulmer (Kara) of Eugene, OR, niece Devin Collins-Cepeda (Camren) of Orange, nephew, Drake Ulmer of Jersey City, NJ and six great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Elaine, in 2018. He also leaves behind a functioning turntable and over 1,000 vinyl albums.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at San Gorgonio High School Performing Arts Center, 2299 E. Pacific St. in San Bernardino on Saturday, May 13 at 11AM.
If you would like to honor Dave, please make a donation in his memory to San Gorgonio High School Athletics or the charity of your choice. To leave a condolence on Dave’s Memorial Page, please visit www.bobbittchapel.com
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