David Plank with his youngest son Davey Jr. Plank. | Family photo
By LOU FOGLIA
Homicide Watch Chicago
Life wasn’t easy for David J. Plank.
There were battles with depression, a divorce, and lack of steady work, family members said. But that never stopped him from being the best possible father to his two teenage sons.
“He was there every chance he could be,” said his oldest brother, Mark Plank. “His boys were his priority. There's no doubt about that.”
No doubt from David’s co-workers either, who told his brother the 54-year-old worked extra hours in the laundry room of Little Company of Mary Hospital to make sure his sons had new clothing and supplies for school.
Plank, of the 9000 block of South Parkside in Oak Lawn, was shot to death Aug. 3 in the Avalon Park neighborhood, Chicago Police said.
He was driving to work in the 8400 block of South Stony Island when he was shot in the upper torso, according to police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office. Police said the bullet entered Plank’s vehicle through the passenger-side door.
He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead, according to authorities.
Plank was not thought to be the intended target of the shooting, police said.
Mark Plank recalled learning of his brother’s death.
“I almost fainted.” he said. “I couldn’t believe it, my hands were shaking. “You hear about [violence] on TV, but when it comes to your front step, there are no words.”
Plank said he later learned his brother was shot in the heart, according to medical records obtained by the family. That was a hard fact to comprehend, because his brother was someone who “despised violence.”
“His heart was big.” Mark Plank said. "David was not a saint, but his heart was big and he was compassionate. It’s just mind boggling.”
Mark Plank, left, with his brother, David Plank. | Family Photo
Since his brother’s death, Plank said Sundays have been difficult to endure. He is still dealing with the absence of David, who would call him every Sunday. The brothers sometimes talked for more than two hours.
“It was as if I was still living in Chicago,” said Plank, who lives in Los Angeles. “We would just pick up where we left off—that was the beauty of it.”
David was eight weeks into a new job at Jackson Park Hospital when he was killed. He worked the second shift as a maintenance man—a job his brother said he enjoyed because he loved working with his hands.
He said he was always inspired by his brother, who lacked a college degree but “remained consistent in his endeavors.”
David Plank bounced from job to job over the years, often taking whatever work was available. There were periods of unemployment, and home wasn’t always in the same place. He lived out of hotels and with relatives following a divorce three years ago, but stayed focused on providing for his sons.
“When people are desperate, sometimes they do desperate things, Plank said. “But David ... he didn’t go the low road. He just busted his a** and kept plugging away.”
David was an avid fisherman and would take his sons on trips to nearby forest preserves. It was a tradition his father had started when he was growing up with his two brothers in south suburban Oak Lawn.
David Plank during a fishing trip. | Family Photo
“His spirituality was being in nature," Mark Plank said. “He really wanted to pass that onto his sons.”
Nearly a month after his death, David’s oldest son, David Plank Jr., invited friends and family to Arrowhead Lake in Palos Heights, his father's favorite fishing location. They celebrated the life of David with fishing and music. David was also a guitarist and member of numerous bands throughout his life.
Despite a Southwest-Side upbringing, David was a devoted fan of the Chicago Cubs. His brother, also a Cubs fan, called this year’s playoffs "bittersweet.”
“I just keep thinking of him, Plank said. “This could be the year ... and he’s not even going to be able to enjoy that.”
He said if the Cubs do win the World Series, he plans to attend the celebration rally and hoist a picture of his brother among the crowds.
“He’s going to be there in the best way we can provide.” Mark Plank said
Area South detectives are conducting a homicide investigation, but there are no new leads, according to family.
Family Photo