David P. Neuenschwander

David Paul Neuenschwander passed away Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at Sheridan County Health Complex in Hoxie, Kansas at the age of 86. He was born January 17, 1928 in Melbourne, Iowa to Rev. John and Marie (Rapp) Neuenschwander. After graduating high school and attending college, David joined the United States Navy in 1945 and served during World War II. He went to work for General Dynamics in Palmdale, California in 1955 doing electronics assembly. He met and married Dorothea “Gean” Newcomb on July 29, 1957 in California. After moving to Oklahoma in 1961 he began constructing Atlas Missile Silos to house Nuclear ICBM Missiles. In late 1963 they returned to California where he went back to General Dynamics as a supervisor until retiring in 1993. In his last years there, he wrote software, and conducted testing procedures for the company. David was a man of simple tastes and lifestyle, but was a man of deep devotion and love. For him, life was all about being with friends, neighbors, and family. He enjoyed traveling, and getting to see his buddies at Navy Reunions. Although he had obstacles to overcome, you would never know it by talking to him. He was content, and satisfied. Always the encourager, he was never without a positive and uplifting word to share. From laughing over a glass of wine to taking pictures, David was the “Keeper of the Memories.” But of all the people in his life, none were more precious to him than his own family. When they were happy, he was happy. David is survived by his son Daniel A. Neuenschwander and wife Trish of Rialto, California; daughter Marie “Lu” Neuenschwander and husband Karl of Hoxie; brother Dr. John Neuenschwander of Hoxie; sister Miriam Hoereth and husband Wayne of California; and grandchildren Elizabeth Neuenschwander, Sarah Neuenschwander-Corral and husband Miguel, Bowe Neuenschwander, and Katelin Neuenschwander. He was preceded in death by his parents Rev. John and Marie Neuenschwander, wife Dorothea “Gean” Neuenschwander; sisters, Ruth Minor and Esther Holtgreive; sister-in-law Gloria Neuenschwander and brother-in-law, Ken Holtgreive. David would never have called himself a hero. But to all of us, who had the privilege of knowing David, our lives are richer, deeper, and more loving because of him. That’s how it is with heroes, they never think they are, but our own lives bear the legacy that only a hero like David could leave for generations to come. Reception: First Presbyterian Church