David Michael Rossman
Tuesday, October 8, 1946
Date of Death:
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Age:
65 years old
Visitation
Date: Thursday October 04, 2012
Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Holy Spirit Catholic Church [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Friday October 05, 2012
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Holy Spirit Catholic Church [ view map ]
Funeral Mass
Date: Friday October 05, 2012
Time: 12:00 pm
Location: Holy Spirit Catholic Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Calvary Cemetery [ view map ]
Tuesday, October 8, 1946
Date of Death:
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Age:
65 years old
Tuesday, October 8, 1946
Date of Death:
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Age:
65 years old
David Michael Rossman
David Michael Rossman, age 65 and 3/4, of Rochester died October 3, 2012 at home surrounded by his family. He lived courageously for fifteen months with a brain tumor. We will all miss his impish, dry sense of Irish humor and the twinkle in his blue eyes.
He was born October 8, 1946 in Rochester, Minnesota to Mark and Florence Rossman who farmed near Douglas, Minnesota. David and Kristine Marie Berlin were married in St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, Wayzata, Minnesota May 23rd, 1970.
David graduated from Lourdes High School and Rochester Junior College with an Associate of Arts degree. He continued his education at the University of Minnesota graduating with high honors with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering. He earned his professional license while employed by the City of St. Paul, Minnesota. David moved to Rochester in 1974, becoming the Design Engineer for the Public Works Department. He served the City as Transportation Engineer from 1978 until his retirement in 2001.
He was a man of great integrity during his professional career; a gentle leader, a patient mentor, and creative engineer. Dave was a member and officer in the Southeast Chapter of the Minnesota Society of Professional Engineers and a member of the North Central Institute of Transportation Engineers. He sought to improve Rochester’s downtown parking through the transportation committee of the Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Parking Institute. As a member of Rochester Olmsted County Council of Government (ROCOG) and the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) he was active in helping develop a network of trails for biking and hiking.
David was later employed by the URS Corporation as traffic engineer for the ROC 52 and the Oronoco Highway 52 projects. During that time he earned his Professional Transportation Operations Engineer certificate (PTOE). He served as senior project manager for both Bonestroo and Yaggy Colby Engineering firms. In 2011 he was appointed to the State Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience, and Interior Design (AELSLAGID) by Governor Mark Dayton.
David was a founding member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, serving as lector and choir member. He was also a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. His honey sales at the K of C breakfasts were donated to their charities. He was honored in 2012 with the Knight of the Year Award from Council 11460. David was also appointed to the Rochester Catholic Cemetery Board, serving for fourteen years.
He helped to establish parish councils across the Diocese of Winona and was presented with the Bishop’s medal for his efforts. David taught confirmation students and accompanied church youth on mission trips. Along with his wife Kristine, he mentored couples prior to marriage and belonged to Teams of Our Lady for thirty-three years. Living his faith was very important to him.
Volunteering was a way David gave back to our community by being a guardian/conservator for vulnerable adults and by reading the local newspaper over the radio for the blind and visually impaired.
He enjoyed being outdoors, hence his thirty-four years as a hobby beekeeper, avid bicyclist, and hunter. He was a steward of God’s creation and had an ecological sensitivity that he practiced when camping, canoeing, and hiking with his family.
He is survived his wife Kristine and two daughters, Catherine (Chad) McDonald and their children Connor and Liam of Hudson, WI and Sarah (Ryan) Gilgenbach and their children, Sophia, Aidan, and Nia of Mound, MN. David is also survived by his sister Mary (Chuck) Nagy of Schaumberg, Illinois; brother James (Brenda) Rossman of Douglas, Minnesota; and sister Florence of Rochester, Minnesota.
He was preceded in death by his son Benjamin who died October 11, 1977 of aplastic anemia and his parents.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated Noon on Friday October 5, 2012 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church officiated by Reverend Donald J. Schmitz. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Friends may call from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, October 4, 2012 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church and one hour prior to the funeral Mass.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a charity of your choice, Brains Together for a Cure, Holy Spirit Knights of Columbus, or Maryknoll Brothers and Sisters.
Macken Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com
Condolences
The family of David Michael Rossman has received the following condolences.
Kris and family,
We are very sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Stan and Kathy
I only met David once but I remember he was very kind to me.
I am very sad for your loss.
I just got back and read the news about Dave's death. Please accept my apologies for missing the visitation and funeral. I was out of town and will be this coming week as well. My sympathies to all in his family and know that all of you are in my prayers. I am sure as devoted as he was to his faith that he now is with the Lord in the hope of the resurrection. His great courage and inner strength was truly an inspiration to all. God bless you!
A life well lived, we should all try to follow his good example. Sorry I never met him, though I followed his situation on the internet for months. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time as you face life without him in your midst. Special thoughts for Florence. Sincerely, Anna Berry Alley
October 5, 2012
Dear David Rossman Family,
I want to send my deepest and most heartfelt sympathy. Never
does one feel as helpless as when trying to give words of comfort at a time
like this.
David was a wonderful & faith filled man. I haven't seen
Dave in many years, so it was shocking when I saw his obituary in the paper. As
I read it, I told my wife about the years we caucused together at political
conventions.
It seems he was just too young to die. But he did so much
good every day of his life, all his
tasks here on earth were done. God needed him in heaven.
Yes, David was an Irishman. So I will share a quote I saw on
an old Irish gravestone. "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves
a memory no one can steal." Let your memories sustain you.
While there is a scar on my heart over Dave's passing, I am
honored to have known him.
Al Walz
Dear Mrs. Rossman
I am very saddened by David's passing away. David hired me back in 1984 as a summer help for City of Rochester. He thus started my professional career and in sense helped to establish my new life in new country. My family and I are doing well these days and I will not forget David was instrumental to it. Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Sincerely
Jan Rybar
Kris- Although I didn't know David, I'd like to extend my sympathies to you and your family. He sounds like he was a wonderful man. How fortunate you are to have loved someone so hard to say good-bye to. Thinking of you. Barb
Dear Kris,
We are deeply saddened to hear of Dave's death. We have been following your updates on Caring Bridge. Dave was one of the nicest men we have known. We will keep Dave, you and your family in our prayers.
With love,
Annie and Roy
So sorry to hear about Dave's passing. My family wishes his family and friends condolences. He will be missed. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to work with Dave on the Oronoco Project. He was always smiling and happy to talk about his honey making. God Bless.
Jamie, Chad, Ashley and Lauren Lisser
Sarah and family,
We are so deeply sorry for your loss. His memory will forever be a source of comfort for you and your family. He is now at peace. We pray that you will have the strength you need to get through this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. In Deepest Sympathy, Jamie and Erin
To Kristine and Dave's family: I was so saddened to hear today of Dave's passing. I only knew Dave through the generous time he gave to help increase the bicycle trail system in the area. His giving of his time to causes such as this surely defined him, he was always moving!
Dave was always such a joy and upbeat, we will all miss his presence in so many ways.
Brian Eckre, Byron
Sarah,
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. He sounds like a truly dedicated person who was involved in so many aspects of the community. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
My sympathy to the entire Rossman family. It was my privilege to spend some quality time with Dave and his family over the past couple of months. It was obvious to me that Dave was SPECIAL in numerous ways. Never a complaint. His contributions to the Rochester, Minnesota, community and the Diocese of Winona are immense. God Bless.
Sarah Gilgenbach & family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I hope him being at peace will give you comfort.
You are in our prayers,
Kate Beckmann
Kris, Cathy and Sarah,
May God's care and love comfort you in every way. We are very sorry to hear about Dave. We remeber the good times when the girls were in high school.
Prayers and thoughts are with all of you.
Mary & Ken Peters
Dear Kris Cathy Sarah
We are so sorry to hear the news about David. I had the privalage of knowing and working with David for many years.You are in our thoughts and prayers. We will be thinking of you and the rest of the family. Sending you lots of love. Wayne and Patricia Winter2712 So.Int'l BlvdWeslaco Texas 78596
I am saddened by Dave's death. Dave was more than just a friend; he was an amazing person, professional and committed to his work and friends. He was always so kind and considerate to everyone he was associated with and it is an honiur to know him and work with him on number of of projects.
His passing will not only saddened me and my family, but left a scar in the hearts of everyone who knew him. Dave's memory will always remain deep within my heart.
My sincere thoughts and prayers are with you Kristine and your daughters Cathy and Sarah.
With deepest sympathy,
Muhammad Khan and Anjum Khan
Kris, Cathy, Sarah:
My heart and prayers are with you in this difficult
time. Dave made this world a better
place and now he is on to a better place and a reunion with Ben.
Peace,
Reid Wronski
Kris and Family,
My sincere condolences to you and your family on the death of David. I always enjoyed seeing and talking with David during the Rossman reunions and he was always good about sharing his wonderful honey with all of us. My heart goes out to you during this time. I will keep David and the family in my prayers and thoughts.. May he rest in peace..
Roger Rossman
Kris and family,
We're so sorry to learn about Dave's passing. Heaven is blessed today with a great smile, a great laugh and a great friend. Please know that we will hold you in our prayers.
Mark & Margaret Nuehring (Holy Spirit)
Our thoughts and prayers are with Dave's family. I went to school with Dave when St Pius opened and then graduated together at Lourdes. We had a common cause of caring for people with developmental disabilities. I am the parent of a daughter with disabilities and also worked for the Arc Southeastern Minnesota for over 18 years. I would see Dave when he donated honey for the Arc's passed bazaars and on occasion in the community. I will remember him as a quiet caring man who did much for others.
Sincerely,
JoAnn and Bill Lawler
Mrs. Rossman and the girls, I am so sorry, my heart is so sad that my dear friend is gone,
It is so hard to believe he will not be with us anymore. He taught me so much, he taught me
my work ethic, to see that the world is a beautiful adventure and never give up. I wish I was there to
be at your side. If there is anything I can do please let me know. He was a uncle to me. He was my family too.
Love you guys,
Luis
Dear Kris and family: I'm so very saddened to know that Dave is no longer with us. He was such a good friend from our high school years at Lourdes and was so involved with our reunions, it truly won't ever be the same without him. My prayers are with you as you make this very sorrowful journey. May our Lord's love and Blessed Mother's comfort be with you. Love and sympathy to you all!
Those of us here at Rochester Public Library, who have worked with Kristine for many years & who thus became acquainted with Dave (and/or knew of him thru his professional & community-wide activities) extend our deepest sympathies to the Rossman Family. It was a tough road, but well-ridden; and a tribute to courage of a great engineer. God Speed to that Good Rest!
Dave has been a wonderful member of our family for the past 41+ years. I remember him through the eyes of a child, the eyes of a teenager, and the eyes of an adult. His humor, kindness, patience, and peaceful temperament will truly be missed. God Speed Dave.
Kris, Cathy and Sarah, we are so sorry for your loss. You have been an inspiration for us in how you helped Dave through his affliction for so many months. The finality of his passing is tough, but hopefully also comes with some comforting peace, knowing he is resting in God's hands....remember, the nicest place to be is in someone's thoughts, the safest place to be is in someone's prayers, and the BEST place to be is in God's hands. We pray for your peace in the days ahead.
Gary and Devin
I personally don't know David, but I do work with his daughters. If they are amazing individuals, than David must have been too.
*hugs*
Paula Severson