In Memory of Dave Helms

Honoring the extraordinary life and achievements of Grand Prosthetics founder Dave Helms

By Savanah Bandy

Over 300 people gathered at Nichols-Stephens Funeral Chapel January 27 to honor the life of David L. Helms, a revered husband, father, friend, business owner, community leader and Air Force veteran of Grove, Oklahoma.

“There was standing room only at the service and parking stretched over a mile away,” recalled Dave’s wife of over 40 years, Beverly Helms. “Dave touched many lives, and to see so many people gather in his honor was a moment of light in the midst of so much sadness.”

Dave and Beverly Helms opened Grand Prosthetics & Orthotics LightWeight Artificial Limbs & Braces in Grove in 1996. Over the years, Dave helped countless amputees, injured veterans and diabetic patients gain back their independence with custom-built prosthetics, diabetic shoes and orthotics, and more.

“Building custom prosthetics was Dave’s calling from God,” Beverly said. “He never tired of building and fitting prosthetic limbs in order to give the gift of walking or independent movement.”

Dave served in the Air Force from 1970 to 1974, and it was during his time in the service that he discovered his passion for helping amputees. After exiting the military, he decided to go to school to work with prosthetics. He attended the University of Alaska, Tulane University, Delgado Junior College, Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago, UCLA and New York University Medical School.

“Dave worked with amputees for nearly 50 years in total,” Beverly said. “Impossible to estimate how many people he helped over the course of his career. The number has to be in the multiple thousands.”

Dave always found time to give back to the community and was involved in many civic organizations in Grove, including Partners for Progress, Leadership Grove, Rotary International and Paul Harris Fellow, Grand Lake Association, Grove City Council, Municipal Service, Industrial Development and the Airport Board. Dave was highly instrumental in bringing the Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall Memorial to Grove in 2001. In 2007, he received a lifetime achievement award from the Grand Lake Association.

Of all his accomplishments, Dave was most proud of his efforts alongside Pete Norwood to bring an F-4 Phantom Fighter Jet to Grove to display as a permanent tribute to all those who served to protect our country’s freedom.

In his free time, Dave loved building and restoring classic cars. The only thing he loved more than fixing them up and driving them was sharing this common interest with his boys, Andy and Troy.

Andy has followed in his father’s footsteps and entered the prosthetics business. Beverly and Andy will carry on the legacy of Grand Prosthetics and continue to serve patients with unparalleled compassion and expertise.

“My husband was an extraordinary yet humble man,” Beverly said. “He was unfailingly kind and caring, and he embarked on each new day with a servant’s heart. He was fearless, focused and determined to serve in all his endeavors. He truly left the world a better place than he found it.”