David Kilduff

David (Dave) Kilduff passed away on December 6, 2025 in Vernon Hills, Illinois, at age 70. Native of Eureka, California.  Son of Laura Kilduff (nee Beal) and Gerald “Jerry” Kilduff. Older brother to twins Timothy and Tamara and Linda. Dave was a graduate of Madera High School, where he played football and wore #70 and after graduating coached football. He attended Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California where he met his future wife Cydney (Cyd) Kilduff (nee Dalpino) and mother of his three children: Chenin, Jack and Jenny. Dave and Cyd settled in the Bay Area where they welcomed Chenin and Jack. In 1988, Dave’s job with Hertz transferred him to Detroit, where they later welcomed Jenny. While divorced over 30 years, Cyd and Dave remained in each other’s lives, spending many holidays, sporting events and other milestones together. In 1992 Dave moved to Chicago, living down the street from Wrigley field for many years. He later moved to the north suburbs. 

Dave worked for Hertz for over 20 years, serving as a sales division vice president.  He later worked for American Express and Carlson Wagonlit Travel and established himself as an authority in ground transportation. He never slowed down, happily continuing to work with no plans to stop. 

The life of the party and the best storyteller we know, Dave had many adventures and stories to speak of: his grandfather emceed the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge and was later credited with creating the legend of Big Foot; Dave drove down the coast of Baja after graduating high school in 1973 the first year the road was built; he golfed with Arnold Palmer numerous times; he hosted OJ Simpson at golf outings and later testified in his trial; smoked cigars with Mel Gibson; rubbed elbows with Harry Carey; had adventures with Jack and his friends in Europe while they were backpacking; and earned VIP lifetime status at multiple Chicago area bars and restaurants, no doubt while telling his signature stories. 

But he topped all of that in 2013 when he became “Papa” to Tommy, who was later joined by Nora, Parker, and Ellie. His love for his grandchildren was bigger than life, just like him. 

While he missed California and spoke of it often, he loved Chicago – a City with the best food and the most fun according to Dave. His passion for food and fun extended to home, where, as an accomplished home chef, his friends and family were lucky to eat in his kitchen –unlucky to have to clean it. 

He loved to tell a good joke and complained that the art of joketelling was dying. His passion for music was infectious and singalongs were required for any gathering with Dave. Like his mother, he loved to play cards, especially poker. He lost to his grandson Tommy one last time over Thanksgiving after his signature ‘sweetening of the pot.’--with a legitimate hand beaten by an even better hand.

In recent years, Dave could be found most weekends at grandchildren’s sporting events, golfing, or at lunch with his friends at Bob Chinns or Tsukasa. Dave never met a stranger and his presence will be deeply missed by all who were lucky enough to have known him. 

Dave is survived by his Children: Chenin Kienzler (Rick) of Hinsdale, Illinois; Jack Kilduff (Katie) of Kalamazoo, Michigan; Jennifer Griffin (Brice) of Toney, Alabama. His Sisters Tammy Morici (Steve) and Linda Rogers. His grandchildren Tommy and Nora Kienzler of Hinsdale, IL; Parker Griffin of Toney, Alabama and Ellie Kilduff of Kalamazoo, Michigan. 

Dave’s life will be celebrated in Hinsdale, Illinois on December 17th at the Lodge at KLM, 5901 S County Line Rd, Hinsdale, IL 60521 at 1:00 PM, with words of remembrance at 2:00 PM and a reception to follow from 3:00 PM to 8:00PM. The family asks that you join them to celebrate Dave as he would wish with good food, drink, music and stories. 

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Dave's name to the Eureka Heritage Society, https://eurekaheritage.com/buhne_fence.html

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