Dr. Lim is preceded in death by his dear mother (Lim Sit Nah Yong), father (Henry Bernard Lim), brother (Matthew Lim) and “brother” of 52 years (Daniel Engeberg). Dr. Lim is survived by his wife of 21 years Colleen Lim (nee Matheny), sisters Grace Lee (Wallace Lee) and Jean Lim (TC Ng), his daughters Jennifer Michele Lim (Daniel Hurley) and Alysia Goss (nee Lim) (Michael Dailey), stepchildren Michael Bower (Kylie Sokol), Drew Bower (Cassandra Bower) and Glenn Bower (Zipporah Evania), and his beloved grandchildren Austin, Bella, Ethan, Eleanor, Amelia, George, Dorothea, Katharine and William.
Although he left this life far too soon, Dr. Lim lived each day to the fullest.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Dr. Lim came to the US at the age of 17 after winning Hong Kong’s singing competition, Talent Time. His group, The Gabriels, won a recording contract with EMI and a Volkswagen beetle, which he sold for a plane ticket to the US. His mother was also instrumental in facilitating his dream of coming to the US, as she frequently hid gold behind the tiles in their kitchen. When the time came, she had raised the amount of money required to attend school in the US as a foreign student.
After coming to the US, Dr. Lim put himself through undergraduate studies at La Sierra University in Loma Linda, California. He then completed medical school at Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He collected a multitude of lifelong friends along the way, including his “brother” Dan Engeberg, who became his US family.
After completing medical school, Dr. Lim eventually settled in Dayton, Ohio, where he was a founding member of the emergency room physician’s group, EMS, that still exists and operates at Kettering Health Network.
At the age of 45, Dr. Lim survived a rare brain aneurysm he suffered while snow skiing in Colorado. He was number six to survive from this type of stroke. While this prevented him from continuing as an emergency room physician, this did not deter him from doing what he loved. Dr. Lim completed internal medicine residency and continued to help others through the practice of medicine.
Throughout his career as a physician, he held a number of titles and positions including Emergency Room Physician, Medical Advisor for many townships (Clear Creek Township Rescue, Germantown Rescue, Farmersville Fire and Rescue, Miami Township Fire Department, and Wayne Township Fire Department), Volunteer at the Good Neighbor House, Professor in the Physician Assistant Program at KCMA, Medical Director of the Physician Assistant Program at KCMA, Clinical Instructor and Faculty Liaison at Wright State University School of Medicine Emergency Medicine Residency Program, and Preceptor for the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Kettering Health.
His favorite among these titles was being a teacher. Dr. Lim believed that as a physician, he could impact many lives. However, he knew if he dedicated his time to teaching others, he could help even more people through his students.
When he wasn’t busy being a tremendous physician and teacher, Dr. Lim enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He loved traveling the world with his wife, Colleen. He adored his daughters and grandchildren. He enjoyed watching baseball (especially his favorite team, the Dodgers), snow skiing, mountain climbing (Mt. Whitney and Bolivia were his most memorable trips), listening to music, and fishing. On any given weekend, you could find Dr. Lim reading the labels in the vitamin isle at Costco.
Dr. Lim loved spending time with friends. He often visited with them while eating at First Watch, Doubleday’s, or Ginger and Spice. They followed-up their meals by target shooting, a weekly hobby Dr. Lim never wanted to miss. Everywhere he went, Dr, Lim made friends and touched lives. Everywhere he went Dr. Lim knew someone in the room. Those close to him lovingly called him “the mayor.”
In the end, Dr. Lim accepted his diagnosis, and was at peace with his life. He assured everyone his faith was strong, and said he was thankful for the additional time he was given after his aneurysm. Dr. Lim said he was more worried about the people he was leaving behind. Sure enough, his departure has left the biggest hole that will be impossible to fill.
In lieu of flowers, he asks that a donation be made to either Hospice of Dayton or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
A Memorial service for David will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, August 5, 2023 at Kettering Seventh-day Adventist Church, 3939 Stonebridge Road, Kettering, Ohio 45419, with a reception to follow until 3:00 PM.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.tobiasfuneralhome.com for the Lim family.
Dr. Lim will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Rest in peace, Dr. Lim.
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