Published in Lawrence Journal-World
Monday, November 10, 1986 Page 3
By Bonnie Dunham
J-W /staff Writer
Man who survived near-drowning dies suddenly
The young man who made a “miracle recovery” after nearly drowning in Lawrence two months ago was found dead at his home Sunday.
Although an autopsy was not performed, the Douglas County coroner’s office said this morning that the death of David Teichmann, 23, was apparently unrelated to the swimming pool incident on Aug. 23.
“He was an epileptic and it is considered to be complications of an epileptic seizure,” Dr. Alan Sanders said this morning.
Teichmann, who was mentally retarded, lived semi-independently in an apartment at 2357 Ridge Ct. with supervision by the staff of Cottonwood, Inc.
He was found dead in bed by his roommate on Sunday afternoon.
In August, Teichmann was swimming with friends at an apartment complex and was found at the bottom of the pool. Friends tried to rescue him and then went for help. It was believed he was underwater for several minutes.
He was transferred from Lawrence Memorial Hospital to the Kansas University Medical Center shortly after the accident. He was treated for pneumonia and other complications at the medial center and spend more than a month on a respirator. He was dismissed from KUMC on Oct. 18 and continued receiving physical therapy.
Teichmann had just returned to half-day work at Cottonwood last week. “He saw the doctor on Thursday. Everything was fine. Blood check, the whole nine yards. Things were fine. He was approved to go back to work” said Howard Hassler, executive director of the Cottonwood facility.
Hassler said today the staff at clients at Cottonwood were “devastated” by the news of Teichmann’s death.
“People are taking it pretty bad. We thought we had a minor miracle going on. Well, we did have a miracle. . . . Things were going well. He was out here last week. I shook hands with him. He had a big smile on his face and I told him I was glad to have him back. He said, ‘I’m glad to be back.’ Then something like this happens. It is devastating to a lot of people.” Hassler said.
“One of the things about this is he is really liked by the clients and staff. He was just a real good fellow.”
Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Warren-McElwain Mortuary chapel with the Rev. Ron Mickley officiating.
Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. (Sec 5, Lot 204-8)
Mr. Teichmann was born July 1, 1963, in Lawrence and was a lifelong resident here. He was a graduate of Lawrence High School (1982) and was employed at Cottonwood, Inc.
Survivors include his parents, Leroy I. Teichmann and Linda Hundley Teichmann, Rt 3; a brother, John of the U.S Marine Corp, San Diego, Calif; two sisters, Diane Falley, Emporia, and Debra Teichmann, Lawrence.
The family suggest memorials to Cottonwood, Inc., in care of the mortuary. Friends may visit at the mortuary from 9 a.m. To 9 p.m. Tuesday.