David Krushe

David died peacefully at home on 6/6/25 after a four and a half year courageous battle with cancer. Following his wish, cremation has taken place and no services are planned. A gathering for friends and family to celebrate his life will be held later in July.

David was born in Bismarck, ND to Nicholas and Betty Ann (Rasmussen) Krushe. He graduated from Bismarck High School in 1975 and after that he attended the University of Hilo, HI and Moorhead, MN, graduating in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. Following his graduation, he joined the Peace corps and served as volunteer in Guatemala in 1986.

David had an exceptional career of working for government and civil society organizations and programs in the US and overseas.

He had over 10 years of US based work experience including leadership and management positions in national citizens network like Clean Water Action and Minnesota Citizens Organizations Acting Together (COACT) organizing successful advocacy and grassroots initiatives around environmental, social and economic justice issues. He also served as deputy campaign director and later as field director and economic advisor to the office of Senator Byron Dorgan assisting effective constituent services and economic development initiatives.

In 1998, David moved oversees and started his international development career as director and/or independent strategy development and evaluation consultant of programs for democratization in countries of transition in Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucuses, the Western Balkans and Africa. This included work with various international development agencies assisting governments and civil society organizations in constituency building, advocacy, effective collaborative initiatives, strategy and organizational development to improve the impact on served groups and constituents. David also initiated and led the development of CREDA consulting (Creative Development Alternatives), based in Sofia, Bulgaria and working across Europe which has been recognized internationally as a reliable and effective service provider in strategy development and evaluation research.

Both in the US and internationally, David was recognized for his expertise and capacities for quick orientation in different and challenging local settings and identifying the best pathways for improvement of the initiatives he assisted. His erudition, visionary and management skills were highly appreciated by numerous civil society organizations and grassroots groups, as well as by international organizations and donors served.

In 1998 David met the love of his life and his soulmate Mariana and this started the wonderful journey of 26 years of happy marriage. They shared the same vision for a better world, worked together on international projects and had a lot of fun taking care of their daughter Nevena and traveling around the world both for work and for pleasure.

Passionate about history, archeology, sports, music, collecting political memorabilia and antiques and about discovering the world, David was true to himself and Mariana in living life with compassion and curiosity. As one friend described him, he “was a force of nature.”

David was deeply loved by his family and friends, both in North Dakota and Bulgaria, as well as everybody he worked with across the world. He was loved for his wit, humor and large network of friendships.

David is survived by his wife, Mariana Krushe; stepdaughter, Nevena; grandson, Dian; sister Kathleen Krushe-Helm; nieces Hayley Lamoureux, Rachel Riedinger and nephew, Andy Riedinger.

Preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas and Betty Ann Krushe, and his brother, Kevin Krushe.

David will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.