Dave was born March 9, 1953 in Cedar Rapids, the son of Charles Franklin and Darlene Jeanne (Bartunek) Yanecek. He graduated from Prairie High School in 1971. Following graduation, he went to work at Nissen Trampoline (Universal Gym Equipment). In 2018, Dave retired from the City of Fairfax after over 20 years of service. In addition to his work, Dave was a volunteer firefighter with the Fairfax fire department for more than two decades. He was an avid Civil War reenactor with the 24th Iowa Volunteer Infantry since 1995 known as Pvt. Josiah Muntz. He spent many a weekend under the canvas tents around the campfire.