Obituary: David Bymoen

David Bymoen

New Rockford, N.D.

David "Tubby" George Bymoen, 77, of New Rockford, N.D. died Monday, March 11, 2024, at his home.

Tubby's visitation was held Thursday, March 14, 2024 from 1-5 p.m. at Evans Funeral Home and from 6-7 p.m. at First Lutheran Church followed by a prayer service at 7 p.m., all in New Rockford. A funeral service was held Friday, March 15, 2024 at 10 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, New Rockford. His burial followed at the Prairie Home Cemetery, New Rockford. Rev. Amy Kippen officiated the service with special music by musicians Anna Brash and Kerstin Allmaras and vocalists Katie Allmaras and Hallie Brown. Pallbearers were Richard Elkins, Dewey Heckaman, Lan "Slime" Grindheim, Kent Dennis, Ronny Beuslinch and John Thompson. Honorary bearers were all of Tubby's family, friends, and staff and students of NR-S school.

Tubby was born Dec. 27, 1946, in New Rockford, N.D. to George Manfred and Anna (Ekrem) Bymoen. He grew up in New Rockford and graduated from New Rockford High School in 1964. He was active in football, basketball and track, and played legion baseball in the summers. Tubby received his bachelor's degree from Jamestown College in 1968 in German and education, and received a post-baccalaureate scholarship to study in Germany after graduation. During his tenure at Jamestown, he played football under Rollie Greeno and was part of the 1966 football team that was inducted into the Jamestown College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003.

In 1982 Tubby married Sandy Nygaard. Together they had a son, Kyler George Bymoen, or Kyler-Man as he was nicknamed by his aunt, Joelyn. Tubby and Sandy later divorced and Kyler passed away in 2000.

Tubby's career was as varied as his stories. He worked in construction, the post office in Everett, Wash., at Hanson's Bar, and owned and operated Bymoen Septic Service and a sign business in New Rockford. His true passion was teaching, and he taught physical education and German in K-12 schools in both Warren, Minn. and New Rockford. The last 28 years of his teaching career was spent in New Rockford, where he coached football, volleyball and track. He especially enjoyed taking students in his German class to Germany and Switzerland. Tubby was named the 2003-2004 NDHSCA Class B 9-man Football Coach of the Year and later the 2006-2007 Class A Region III Football Coach of the Year.

In addition to teaching and coaching, Tubby understood the importance of giving back. In a 2018 interview he stated, "It is just part of being from a town like New Rockford. We are good at getting things done." Tubby was an active board member for Dollars for Scholars since the time of its inception in 2004 and was currently serving on the board for the new gym project for New Rockford-Sheyenne schools. His commitment to the New Rockford community and the New Rockford Rockets was often witnessed through his fundraising activities, including many wienerschnitzel feeds at the Eagles Club. Outside of school Tubby enjoyed golfing, hunting and the outdoors. His work on the family homestead north of New Rockford earned him an achievement award from the USDA, and he was often found taking on a new project at the farm. Although Tubby retired in 2013, he regularly filled in as a substitute teacher and had been in the classroom the full week prior to his passing.

Tubby is survived by his niece, Rachael (Martin) Brash of Bismarck, N.D.; two grandnieces, Anna and Elsa; several cousins and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son Kyler; and sister and brother-in-law Joelyn and Bob Scriba.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the gym project and Dollars for Scholars, both in New Rockford.

Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home of New Rockford and Carrington, N.D.