David F. Unzeitig

David F. Unzeitig, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on February 12, 2026, at the age of 91. David was born on August 2, 1934, to Frank and Anna Unzeitig in Cedar Rapids. He graduated from McKinley High School in 1956 and went on to Iowa State University, where he earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Landscape Architecture in 1958 and Architectural Engineering in 1960. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army through ROTC on June 14, 1958.

David met his future wife, Barbara, at a social event and immediately knew she was someone special. They married in 1966 in Cedar Rapids, where they joyfully raised their two children.

David began his professional career at Loomis Brothers Construction in Cedar Rapids. In 1972, he became co-owner of Larson & Unzeitig before founding Unzeitig Construction Company in 1989. He was known for delivering high-quality commercial, industrial, and institutional projects across eastern Iowa. The company remains a proud family-owned business, now carried on by his son Jim.

David developed a lifelong fascination with roses at an early age. At 12, he was already tending 14 rose bushes in the backyard of his parents' home and proudly exhibiting his first blooms. His remarkable talent earned him some of the American Rose Society's highest honors including the Milton Hershey Memorial Trophy and J. Horace McFarland Trophy at a national–district–state rose show in Des Moines in 1953, along with many other awards. Today, more than 100 rose bushes still bloom in his garden-a living memory of the passion that brought him joy throughout his life.

David also enjoyed fishing trips with Barbara. For 50 years, they traveled together annually to beautiful spots in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Florida. In 1996, he landed a 52-pound, 4-ounce muskie, the largest caught in Minnesota in 39 years and the second largest on record in the state at the time. After a 20-minute battle and a picture with the fish, he released it.

David was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara; his parents, Frank, and Anna; and his sister, Marie.

He is lovingly remembered by his son, Jim, of Cedar Rapids; his daughter, Elizabeth, and her husband, Emanuele Mora, of Chicago, Illinois; his grandchildren, Francesca, and Andrew Mora; and his four nephews.

A visitation will take place at Saint Matthew Church, 2310 1st Ave NE, on February 23rd at 9:00 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. with Father Douglas Loecke presiding. Burial will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family has respectfully requested that any memorial contributions be made to the TKE Scholarship Fund, c/o ISU Foundation, Box 2230, Ames, IA 50010 or to Reiman Gardens at Iowa State University.