David "Dave" Le, of Canton, a deeply loved husband, son, brother, coach, colleague, and friend, passed unexpectedly into eternal life on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at his home. He was 45 years old.

Dave was born on May 23, 1980, at Botsford Hospital in Farmington Hills, Michigan, to Tuong and Sharon (Sieger) Le. Raised in Plymouth, Dave attended Allen Elementary School in Plymouth, Central Middle School, and Canton High School, where he graduated with the Class of 1998.

From an early age, Dave took naturally to the water. While he may not have found his place with a bat or a ball, he found it in the pool. Swimming became one of the great constants of his life, first as a student athlete and later as a coach. Not long after high school, Dave began volunteering with the swim program and eventually became a longtime coach, mentor, and fixture in the local swimming community. He spent more years at Canton High School as a coach than he ever had as a student—something that surely would have amused those who remembered his more resourceful high school days.

For Dave, coaching was never simply about helping swimmers become faster. It was about helping young people become better human beings. He believed deeply that every swimmer mattered, not only the most talented or the fastest. He was invested in everyone, regardless of ability, and took pride in building a program where each person could belong, grow, contribute, and succeed. He coached not only the sport of swimming, but also perseverance, teamwork, discipline, and character. Over the years, Dave coached at the high school and middle school levels, worked with Plymouth girls swimming, served on the MISCA board, and was honored as a Zone Coach of the Year. He became one of the longest-tenured winter sports coaches in the area and a respected presence in the swimming community.

Dave was also a dedicated and respected leader at Best Buy, where he worked for 22 years at the Brighton store and would have celebrated 23 years in August. To those who worked with him, Dave was known as "the guy"—the one who could be counted on, the one called in to fix problems, strengthen teams, and turn difficult situations around. He was a builder of teams and a steady leader. As one colleague once said, every team Dave led would have walked through a wall for him. That loyalty was earned by the way Dave worked, the way he listened, and the way he showed up for the people around him.

Best Buy was also where Dave met the love of his life, Erin (Crabtree). Their story began in 2006, when Erin worked in appliances and Dave worked in the warehouse. At first, she was a little intimidated by him, but rumors eventually began to swirl that they were dating. Dave, in his typically dry and clever way, told Erin he did not like people making rumors about him—so they might as well make the rumor true. What began almost as a joke became something real, especially when a manager, deeply invested in the possibility of their relationship, insisted on knowing whether it was genuine. Dave and Erin decided to go on "one more date," and they remained together ever since.

Dave and Erin were married on October 23, 2009, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Plymouth. Together, they built a life filled with love, loyalty, travel, and countless shared memories. They honeymooned in Key Largo and drove through the Florida Keys. Over the years, they visited Aruba, Punta Cana, Alaska, to name a few. Dave was always willing to get in a car and drive—whether it was across states, across the country, or simply wherever he was needed. He also traveled with family to Vietnam, where he visited the Le family farm and saw the place where his father had grown up, a meaningful journey that helped connect him to his roots and put life into perspective.

Dave loved music, especially rock, and Nine Inch Nails held a special place as his favorite. He and his brother, Joe, traveled around the country for concerts, even once flying to Las Vegas and back in a single day just to see a show. Those trips, like so many parts of Dave's life, were less about the destination and more about being together.

Dave's personality was steady, quiet, thoughtful, and deeply loyal. He was stoic, a man of few words, but every word mattered. He did not speak just to fill silence. He listened carefully, thought deeply, and responded with intention. He was hardworking beyond measure, devoted to those he loved, and loyal in a way that made people feel safe and protected.

Above all, Dave was deeply devoted to Erin. Even in a room full of people, his eyes were always on her. He was protective, steady, and present. He loved her not loudly, but faithfully; not with unnecessary words, but with a lifetime of actions. His devotion to her was evident to all who knew them.

Dave is survived by his beloved wife of 16 years, Erin; his devoted parents, Tuong and Sharon Le; his brother, Joe Le; and many colleagues, swimmers, families, and friends whose lives were made better by his guidance, loyalty, humor, and steady presence.

Family and friends may gather for visitation at the Heeney-Sundquist Funeral Home in downtown Farmington on Sunday, May 3, from 1-7 pm. Dave's funeral ceremony is planned for Monday morning, May 4, at 11:00 am, also at Heeney-Sundquist.  The Reverend Tyler Walworth will preside.

Memorial contributions in Coach Dave's honor may be made to the Canton Boys Swim & Dive Boosters. The team will thoughtfully determine how to honor Coach Dave in the coming weeks. Contributions can be sent via:

Venmo: @CHSBoys-SwimAndDive

Or

Checks made out to CHSSDBC and mailed to:

Karin Stombaugh

7086 Foxridge Drive

Canton, MI 48187

Please include "Coach Dave Memorial" in the note

Dave's life was far too short, but it was full of purpose. He led teams, coached young people, loved his family, honored his roots, worked hard, listened well, and gave himself fully to the people and communities that mattered to him. His unexpected passing leaves an immeasurable emptiness, but his influence will live on in every swimmer he encouraged, every colleague he mentored, every friend he stood beside, and every heart that knew the quiet strength of his love.