David Michael ("Mike") Ambrose 

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of David Michael Ambrose, who died peacefully on June 4, 2026. He was 92. Born on March 23, 1934, Mike was a beloved father, husband, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who touched the lives of all who knew him. Throughout his life he had many roles - a civil engineer, a business owner, a baseball coach, a Marine and a history buff of U.S. Presidents, the Civil War and World War II.

Mike was born to Mary Elizabeth and David Teague Ambrose in Lafayette, IN in the midst of the Great Depression. After his parents’ separation, he and his big sister, Diane (“Dee Dee”) were raised by their grandparents Kathryn and Wallace Wolfe in Lafeyette and Indianapolis. He had many part-time jobs in his youth starting with a paper route at age 10 which taught him the value of hard work. At age 16, he and his sister moved to Merced, CA to live with their mother and to work on their 50-acre horse farm. He wrestled and played baseball and football at Merced High School. He attended Cal Berkley where he studied Civil Engineering and was a member of the Cal boxing team in the 162lb weight class. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1956.

Mike served in ROTC and the U.S. Marine Corps stationed at Quantico, VA, Camp LeJeune, and Iwakuni, Japan. At Iwakuni, he served as the Airbase Maintenance Officer for 2 years before he was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. Mike’s experience in the Marine Corps gave him a deep appreciation for Asian culture which led him to pursue a Master of Arts in Asian Studies at the University of Hawaii. While at UH, he volunteered at the East-West Center where he met an undergraduate student named Ning Sastrodarmodjo. They soon fell in love and, after graduation, they married in Honolulu in April 1962.

Mike’s career took the couple to many places across east Asia and the U.S. including Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Korea, Hawaii, Florida (twice), Massachusetts, North Carolina, Maryland, and Virginia. He specialized in land development and water treatment over much of his career, and in 1979, launched his own Civil Engineering firm in Boca Raton.

Mike was a staunch supporter of organizations whose missions were focused on humanitarian aid, environmental protection, and his state’s Democratic Party. He and Ning opened their home and hearts to international exchange students to support the education and advancement of young people. He had many personal interests over his 92 years – he was an avid sports fan, an amateur pilot, a member of several hiking clubs, and a voracious reader of U.S. and World history. He loved dogs as much as anyone could and he leaves behind his Cockapoo, Chewbacca, but will be reunited with his loyal canine companion of 15 years, Charlie.

Mike leaves behind his four sons, Phillip, Michael, Iyal, and Sharif; his six grandchildren, Alexander, Samuel, Kian, Sophia, Dylan, and Ryder; his sister, Diane; his nieces and nephews, Anita Soraya, Lisa, Nicole, and Michael; and his partner of 15 years, Barbara. Mike was preceded in death by his wife, Ning, who died in 2005.