It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of David Weiss, currently from Queen Creek, Arizona, on December 13, 2025. However, we are comforted in the confidence that he was welcomed into the arms of his loving savior Jesus Christ in whom all things are made new.

Dave is mourned by Helga, his wife of 61 years; daughter Karin (Ronn) Gookin of League City, TX; son Tom (Heidi) Weiss of Queen Creek, AZ; Grandchildren Dustin (Alli) Weiss of Meridian, ID, Nic (McKayla) Gookin of Allendale, MI, Haley (Jeff) Giesmann of O’Fallon, MO, Jake Gookin of Texas City, 6 great grandsons Reid, Carson, Brooks, Granger, Kilian and Kaden; and many other special cousins, nieces and nephews and their families. He is also survived by his brother Joel (Darlene) Weiss of Bloomington, MN; sister Barbara Goodwin of Wheaton, IL; sister-in-law Sue Weiss of Peoria, IL; sister Janet Malzahn of Fenton, MO.

Dave was born June 12, 1936 in Pekin, IL to Rev. Theodore and Ruth Weiss. He attended Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee where he met the love of his life, Helga, in German club. He earned a philosophy degree, which he soon realized would not help him put food on the table. Dave and Helga then lived briefly in Bowling Green, OH where he obtained a Master’s Degree in Mathematics at Bowling Green State University. He and Helga then moved to Littleton, CO, where they would raise their family and spend the next 56 years, before eventually moving to Arizona in 2021.

Dave started his career in Colorado as a math professor at Regis University before taking a job as an aerospace engineer at Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin). A highlight of his 17 years at Martin was being a member of the team that accomplished two successful Viking missions to Mars in the 1970’s. Dave ‘retired’ in 1985 to focus on his real estate investments and fishing!

Faith, Family, Friends and Fishing pretty well sum up Dave’s favorite things in life. Recently, when a nurse asked Dave what he did for a living prior to retirement, he said, “I was a fisherman!” Well, he never actually made a dime fishing, but that’s how integral it was to his life. Dave had a great love and respect for nature and spent as much time outdoors as possible, skiing (in his younger years), hiking, camping, backpacking, hunting, and just exploring; but, his great love was fishing. He knew every bend in the rivers, every rock and tree fish would be hiding behind, and knew exactly what fly would interest them! His adventures fishing led to some lifelong friendships that were appreciated more than anything.

Christ was always the center of Dave’s life. He was very active in the LCMS Lutheran Church and enjoyed serving in the church. He always tried to show appreciation for what the Lord did for him by giving back, and he served in several capacities including roles as an Elder, school board member, small group leader and congregation president. He even led a years-long project to bring a pipe organ to one of the churches he belonged to. He and Helga also made many dear, lifelong friends from their church homes over the years who they were very grateful for.

Dave was a lifelong learner. He read hundreds of books and had an insatiable desire to know something about everything. Most recently, he was curious about Artificial Intelligence and spent hours researching it and sharing with family how he felt it would change the world. Along with this love of learning, he was a legendary story-teller. He kept everyone on the edge of their seats with his stories, even the hospice nurses recently!

Dave made a great effort to learn and remember names, and was especially attentive to friends with no family nearby, often including them in outings with the family or holiday dinners.

He led an exemplary life and was strong role model for his family, having great love and patience for his children and grandchildren, teaching them to love God and love others. Dave actively took the time to ask, and more importantly, listen, to what was going on in people’s lives. He was a true friend, always happy to help often without being asked, generous with his love and encouragement. His true friendship, wonderful life stories, insightful words, and thoughtful gestures will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A private celebration of life will be held at a future date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you to do a good deed for someone in need to honor Dave and the way he lived his life.

Dave’s family deeply appreciates the outpouring of love, prayers, and support during this difficult time. 

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