A Tribute to Late GLA President Dave Cheney
It is with heavy hearts that we share that our cherished friend, member, and Glen Lake Association President Dave Cheney passed away on December 11, 2025. Read his obituary here.
Dave loved Glen Lake and everything about it. He was the third generation in his family to serve on the GLA board, most recently as president. Prior to serving as president, Dave held a variety of board leadership roles including treasurer and vice president. He volunteered tirelessly for the GLA, pitching in to open and close the boat wash, recruiting new members to join the GLA, and even subbing for a boat wash employee who had an emergency appendectomy last 4th of July weekend.
Dave’s Glen Lake story began in 1927, when his grandfather, George “GA” Schilling, and GA’s wife, Ruth, first rented a cottage at Dunn’s Farm. They loved it so much that they purchased the neighboring property and built a cottage the following year. With a childhood marked by frequent moves, Glen Lake became Dave’s constant. He spent every summer there with his grandparents and extended family—cousins, aunts, uncles, and many lifelong friends.
Dave deeply admired his grandfather, whom he often described as a “larger than life” figure—the man who taught him how to water-ski, ride horses, and drive fast cars. GA was also one of the founding members of the GLA, a legacy Dave was proud to carry forward.
Dave was the son of Jim and Nancy Schilling Cheney, and the nephew of George T. Schilling and Richard “Dick” Schilling, both of whom were deeply involved in the GLA and the Glen Lake community throughout their lives.
A lifelong sailor, Dave began his competitive racing career on his late friend Dr. Mark Steiner’s Snipe. From 1968 to 1970, he served as a sailing instructor at the Glen Lake Yacht Club, where he shared his love of sailing with generations of young sailors and managed racing competitions.
Dave met his wife, Judy, in 1985 at a Kentucky Derby party through Tom Dutmers. He was eager to introduce her to the beauty of Glen Lake that summer—and the rest was history. Dave and Judy raised their three children at the Glen Lake Yacht Club, with countless trips down the Crystal River, climbs up and down Sleeping Bear Dunes, and early morning water-ski runs across the lake.
On one of Dave’s final boat rides on Glen Lake this past summer, he was surrounded by his entire family, including his four grandsons—the youngest just two months old—a moment that perfectly reflected the love, legacy, and joy Glen Lake brought to his life.
We are grateful to Dave for generously giving his time, talent and treasure to the Glen Lake Association for so many years, and he will be deeply missed.
GLA Transitions Leadership
The GLA Board of Directors has unanimously voted to appoint Vice President Tamara Cutler to fill Dave’s term as president. Read more about Tamara and the Board of Directors.