Honoring the Life and Legacy of Dave Huebsch

Dear Common Hope Community,

It is with deep respect and heavy hearts that we share the news that Dave Huebsch, founder of Common Hope, passed away on November 11 at the age of 88.

Dave’s vision, compassion, and unwavering belief in the power of education sparked a movement that has shaped the futures of thousands of families in Guatemala. His legacy lives on in every student who dreams, every parent who perseveres, and every community strengthened through hope and opportunity.

Below, we share Dave’s obituary in full, honoring a life lived with profound purpose and love.

Obituary of David Huebsch

David Huebsch, 88, a resident of Little Falls, Minnesota, passed away on Tuesday, November 11. He was born on August 11, 1937, in Perham, MN to the late Herman and Margaret (Fellerer) Huebsch. They lived in Perham, Minnesota, where he graduated from Perham High School with the class of 1955. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 until his honorable discharge in 1957. After his military discharge, he attended St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota. He married Betty (Elizabeth Anna) Wegscheid 1958. They had five children together. In the early years of their marriage, they lost their son Mark to a farm accident, and their daughter Chery to cancer.

In 1966, he attended Moorhead State University graduating with a degree in education. He taught Language Arts in Perham and other area schools for 18 years. In 1986 he and Betty, along with their late son, John, founded Common Hope, known at the time as the Godchild Project. They served the poor and abandoned communities of central Guatemala, helping thousands of families achieve their dream of stepping out of poverty into the Guatemalan middle class. Common Hope continues to flourish today. Betty died in 1989 and their son John died in 2014. In 1996, Dave married Bina Frank, and they continued to assist the less fortunate of Guatemala through a project called Rising Villages. Dave was an avid reader, an author, and a spiritual mentor.

He leaves behind his wife, Bina, two adult children, Dave (Nora) Huebsch and Annie (David) Lang; his grandchildren, Hahns, Jessica, and Nelson and their families. Also, his siblings Joan Erickson, Fred (Geromaine), Ken, Mona Kadow, Bill (Mark Hakomaki) and Bob (Gail). He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Margaret Huebsch; first wife, Betty; sons, Mark and John; daughter, Chery; infant sister, Mary, and brother-in-laws, Jim Erickson and Russ Kadow.

Funeral services were at their parish in Sartell, Minnesota, and burial was with his first wife, Betty, in the St Lawrence Cemetery at Perham, Minnesota.

Honoring Dave’s Legacy

As we reflect on Dave’s remarkable life and the movement he began, many have asked how they might honor his memory.

In response, we have established the Founders Fund, created in honor of Dave, Betty, and John Huebsch. This fund continues the spirit of “doing whatever it takes” — providing direct, urgent support to families in moments of greatest need, just as the Huebsch family did in the earliest days of Common Hope.

If you feel moved to honor Dave in this way, you may make a gift to the Founders Fund in his memory.

Thank you for keeping Dave’s family, especially our board member Bill, in your hearts during this time. His life’s work lives on in all of us.

With gratitude,

The Common Hope Team

The Founders Fund