In Memory
David Ray Getzinger
Apr. 22, 1940 - Jan. 26, 2006
David Ray Getzinger, 65, of Littleton, Colorado, passed away on Thursday, January 26, 2006, in his home after a valiant 15-month battle against cancer.
He was born April 22, 1940, to Hubert Getzinger, who preceded him in death in 1992, and Dorothy, who survives. He was also preceded in death by a grandson, Tyler Michael Rossi in 1986.
He is survived by his loving wife, Deanna (Dabney), who he married on June 9, 1990, in Denver, Colorado. Also surviving are his sister, Gail Schutt of Mishawaka; a daughter, Lisa (Michael) Rossi of Fort Collins, Colorado; sons, Kirk Hillyard of Denver, Colorado, Kevin (Ginger) Hillyard of Fort Collins, Colorado, Ellis (Katrin) Acklin of Berlin, Germany, and Clayton Acklin of San Francisco, California; and a daughter, Alisha Acklin of Sherman Oaks, California; his niece, Shannon (Eric) Overmyer of Mishawaka; grandchildren, Cody Rossi, Christopher Rossi, Elizabeth Rossi, Kaylee Hillyard and Jillian Hillyard, all of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Leo Acklin of Berlin, Germany.
David graduated from John Adams High School in 1958 where he played football, was active in orchestra, Glee Club, Drama Club and all-city orchestra. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Purdue in electrical engineering in 1963. In 1991 he earned a master's degree from Denver University in computer technologies.
He began his career at CTS Corporation in Elkhart, Indiana. From there he moved to Richardson, Texas, in 1965 where he worked for Collins Radio. In 1969 he joined the Martin Marietta Skylab team at NASA and worked there until the project was closed. From there Martin transferred him to California to work on Titan Missiles, then on to Washington, D.C., to work on the air traffic control system. In 1986 he returned to Denver to provide configuration management for their Atlas Missile projects, the most recent of which were the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in August 2005 and this month's launch of the Star-48/New Horizons spacecraft targeted for Pluto.
In his youth he was active in scouting and achieved the Life Scout rank. He also enjoyed sailing and water skiing, and more recently alpine skiing.
It was his wish that he be cremated, so no funeral or memorial service have been planned. His wishes were for his family and friends to celebrate his life.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Rossi Children College Fund, 1144 Nassau Way, Fort Collins, CO 80525.
02/10/2021 DEC
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