David William ALTENBERND

ALTENBERND, David William

died on January 23, 2017, at the age of 96 in Tampa, FL. He was born January 18, 1921 in Muscatine, IA. He graduated from Muscatine High School and then from Iowa State University with a degree in electrical engineering. He met his wife, Floy (Alton), at Iowa State where they married in 1941. They were happily married for nearly 75 years before she died in May 2016. He was a WWII veteran, serving in the army signal corps from 1942 until 1946, as an expert in radar on both the east and west coasts of the US and on Okinawa. After military service, he worked as an electrical engineer in Iowa and New Jersey. In 1954 he returned to Muscatine to run the contracting business that his father owned. Floy became an art teacher in the public schools. He and Floy raised their children in Muscatine and supported them in all of their endeavors. In 1972, they sold the family business and joined the Peace Corps. Their posting in Kenya was the beginning of over thirty years of service to people in Africa and Haiti. After their term in the Peace Corps, they worked with the Presbyterian Church, USA. Dave oversaw the construction and development of hospitals, dental clinics, schools and school curriculum in several African countries, including Congo (Zaire), Kenya, Zambia, and Lesotho. He also spent time guiding construction at a hospital in Haiti. After retiring, he continued to serve, traveling to Mexico and the hurricane damaged parts of Mississippi to help with construction projects. He and Floy enjoyed traveling the country in their RV, visiting friends and new places. He is preceded in death by his wife and son Richard. He is survived by Chris and Sue Altenbernd of Tampa, FL; Pat and Sam Johnson of Northfield, MN; Peggy and John Lazar of Brook Park, OH; his sister, Ellen Irwin of Fort Lauderdale, FL; grandchildren, Ben Johnson and wife Aimee, Ashley Altenbernd, and Bryce Altenbernd; and great-granddaughter Penelope Johnson. He was a kind, honest and generous man, who inspired all who met him. A memorial service for Dave and Floy will be held in Muscatine later this year. Please visit the family's online personalized guestbook at www.blountcurrymacdill.com