David Stuart Plotkin

April 25th, 2023

What an honor and joy it was to know Dave.

Not only did Dave care about his career, he also cared about his colleagues. He made sure that he acknowledged each of the county personnel with stories and personal anecdotes that each of us will remember fondly. Even though some of us may have only had a chance to work with Dave for a short time, he had a special gift of making you feel as if you had been life-long friends. He had a personality that was genuine and engaging and he had the best sense of humor.

We were lucky to know him and will miss him dearly.

~Dave’s Friends from the Morgan County Assessor’s Office
~Colleagues, Morgan, Utah

April 24th, 2023

Dear Plotkin family,
I was honored to meet Dave when he visited (his Best) Trish’s mother while she was in the hospital. I have know the McCormicks for many years. I was impressed with his compassion and obvious love that he had for Trish and her family. Such a beautiful man, inside and out. I pray you will be comforted by the legacy of love that he leaves behind, with his dear children, his mother, sisters, and many, many friends and family that join you in your time of grief. May God bless all of you and hold you in his loving arms today. With many condolences. Sally and Tom Sullivan

~Sally Sullivan
~, Utah

April 24th, 2023

I met Dave during the beginning of the pandemic of March 2020. The Tax Commission handed out lap tops and said go home to work. Dave was just starting to work with us and he learned a lot on-line. He was fun to work with on-line ( he had such a fun sense of humor on-line too). He also wanted to get things correct and asking questions. He loved to work and learned as much as he could. He had such a uplifting spirit! I am glad I got to meet him personally.
Dave has made a difference in so many lives. I’m grateful to of had him as my friend.

~Tina Wright
~colleague and a friend, Saratoga Springs, UT

April 24th, 2023

I have been so privileged to have known Dave these last two years. When I first started working at the Tax Commission he was so welcoming and encouraging and took the time to show me where things were, even when he didn’t have to. I am grateful for all the projects he helped me with as he was always a hard worker and dedicated to doing a good job. Dave always had an interesting story to tell and never let a conversation get dull. I am truly saddened to hear of his passing and will miss working with him. My deepest condolences to his family. You are all in my prayers.

~Kristen Lefort
~Co-worker, Salt Lake City, Utah

April 24th, 2023

Dave was an absolute pleasure to work with. His humor was contagious and with that he always knew how to lighten any situation. I collaborated with him on an office committee at the Utah State Tax Commission. His cheeky way of contributing to the team included making sure we knew when crazy holidays were such as World Beard Day, Positive Thinking Day, Another Great Combo Day, World Gratitude day and I cannot forget Hobbit Day for him and all other fans of Middle Earth!

I was always impressed with his diligence and commitment to any task while always ready with a witty response. Anytime I asked him for information from his department he would always follow up with a joke. He would not just engage this way with certain people. Dave was one who spoke his mind and would be authentic and friendly to all who met him. I am lucky enough to have in my email a cute short story from Dave’s. This was one of his own experiences out in the field working:

“One of my all-time favorite comments came from a pit operator a couple years back. When we drove up, the first thing he said to us was, “Must be nice to just drive around all day.” I got a good chuckle out of that. Contrary to his belief, in Mining, we don’t just drive around all day, but rather conduct site visits and audits in the warmer months. We will also drop in on county officials to say hi so they can put a face to the name of the analysts for their respective counties. My other favorite, during the same outing, another operator sarcastically commented, “You’re here to help, right?” To be perfectly honest, yes we are. That is exactly what we are there for. We like to make things right no matter how that looks for the bottom line. Accuracy is our goal, especially during assessment time”.

As you can see, Dave would engage with anyone and always had a way of putting people at ease. Dave is one who would go out of his way to make me feel good, never a complaint, and left the world a better place. I am forever grateful that I knew Dave, and he will be missed by our team and our division.

~Kimberly Knorr
~Co-worker, Friend, American Fork, Utah

April 24th, 2023

I have had the privilege of working with Dave over the past 3 years at the Utah State Tax Commission. Dave was a great employee who absolutely loved his job! He loved telling people that he was an appraiser for the Tax Commission and enjoyed talking about his career at every opportunity, including dressing up in his full field gear (hard hat, safety glasses, orange vest, etc.) to present at his son’s school career day. Dave took great pride in his work. I could always count on Dave to get the job done and to do it well! I will miss his smile, his sense of humor, and our talks about Chicago sports and food! My deepest condolences to Dave’s family and loved ones! May his memory be for a blessing.

~Lucas Hendrickson
~Collegue, Salt Lake City, UT

April 24th, 2023

Dave was well respected by all he met and he was proud to say he worked for the Tax Commission. His positive attitude set a tone for all around him. His enthusiasm for his work went above and beyond what was required. He once dressed up in full safety gear for one of his children’s school classes to explain what he did for work and why it was important. He was excited to report that one of the students liked what he saw and heard and wanted to be a “Tax Man” when he got older.
My condolences go out to his family at this difficult time in their lives and my thoughts and prayers are with them.

~Roger Barth
~Co-worker at the Utah State Tax Commission, Salt Lake City, Utah

April 24th, 2023

Dave was a true joy — he brought such a positive and caring vibe to the management team at the House of Blues Chicago. He cared so much about doing the right thing, making each guest experience a great one, and taking care of the staff. He embodied the HOB motto “Help Ever, Hurt Never” and his smile alone made everyone love him. Though we only worked together a few short years, Dave and I stayed friends over the years, which is a testament to his generous and gregarious nature. I am the better for having known him and I will miss him dearly.

~Amy Buczko
~Former Restaurant Colleague, Chicago, IL

April 22nd, 2023

We remember this sweet handsome little boy with a wonderful streak of fun mischief in the sparkle of is eyes. Many years ago someone had given us a book of Shel Silverstein poems that were a bit more “for mature readers only.” One day when David was visiting us he came across it recognizing the author’s name. Of course he wanted to read it. We took it away and tried to substitute another more appropriate book by the same author. No deal. Finally we came to an agreement. When he was old enough we would let him read it. Every time he stopped at our home alone or with his family he wold ask.” Am I old enough yet?” “not Yet? we replied . Time passed. He grew up. Went off to college. The family moved away but we remained close. He married and had three wonderful children.He never got to read the book but we figured he would have been quite ready. Now all we can do is wonder how he would have handled the situation with his children. We know it would have been with humor and kindness and caring. That’s the David we knew. May his family find all the beautiful memories of David both a comfort and a blessing. With love and condolences, Ruby and Herb Lash

~Ruby & Herb Lash
~Long time close family friends, Rockford, IL