David Taaffe, 20, was a Maclellan Scholar from Brentwood, TN, majoring in Spanish with minors in community development and education. He was a midfielder on the varsity soccer team and was set to return for a second year as the resident assistant for the men’s hall 2nd Central in Carter Hall. He was a graduate of Christ Presbyterian Academy in Nashville.

The Covenant College family grieves the death of rising junior David Taaffe ’15.

David, 20, was a Maclellan Scholar from Brentwood, TN, majoring in Spanish with minors in community development and education. He was a midfielder on the varsity soccer team and was set to return for a second year as the resident assistant for the men’s hall 2nd Central in Carter Hall. He was a graduate of Christ Presbyterian Academy in Nashville.

Following a summer internship in Spain, David died on Monday, July 22, 2013, as a result of injuries sustained due to a fall while hiking in Switzerland.

“As children of God and joint heirs with Christ we cling to the promise of the hope of glory,” said President Derek Halvorson, “and we take great comfort in knowing that our brother, David, is with his Lord and Savior already. This is a wonderful truth to ponder even as we grieve an extremely painful loss.”

David is survived by his parents, Bill and Pauline, and his four older siblings, Lynn, Sarah Jane, Gillian, and Sam.

“David selflessly cared for his hall as an RA, compassionately loved his friends, and fervently sought God’s will for his life as he grew in Christian maturity,” said Adam Porcella, resident director of Carter Hall.

One of David’s favorite verses was Romans 8:28: “And we know that for those who love God all things will work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

“I am extremely privileged to have coached him the past two years,” said head men’s soccer coach Nathan Pifer. “His life was an example of how to play extremely competitively and glorify God at the same time. He will be missed but we will see him again when we celebrate the ultimate victory we have in Jesus together. I love you, #6.”

Said assistant men’s soccer coach Drew Courtney, “As David rejoices with the Lord, I go back to the words I heard him sing so often in our locker room with his teammates: ‘It is well with my soul; it is well, it is well with my soul.’”

The Covenant community gathered on Thursday, July 25, at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanderson Hall auditorium to pray for the Taaffe family and to remind one another of God’s promises to his people.

There will also be a time to remember David and celebrate his home-going at the beginning of the fall semester.

Information about other memorial arrangements will be provided as it becomes available.

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