David Rossate
March 28, 1939 ~ November 30, 2021
David S. Rossate, 82, of Cedar Rapids, died on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 6, 2021, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Marion, Iowa. Burial at 2 p.m. on Monday afternoon at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Arrangements are with Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Barbara; children, Julie (Jeffrey Von Wald) Rossate and Jeffery (Michelle) Rossate; grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Kalvin; sister, Janet (Joseph) Schwantner; and sister-in-law, Marienne Daniels.
David was born March 28, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Jack and Seri (Johnson) Rossate. He was a graduate of Thornton Township High School and the University of Iowa with a degree in Business Administration. David served four years in the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of Captain. On June 22, 1963, he married Barbara Ann Jacob in Mendota, Illinois.
He spent a 40-year career in Human Resources, retiring from St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids in 2006. David enjoyed volunteering for his church and community and was particularly active with St. Mark's Lutheran Church Foundation. He dedicated many hours to driving patients for appointments, raising awareness for the Marion Lions Club, and serving at St. Mark's Lutheran Church.
David and Barbara loved traveling, whether visiting their children and grandchildren around the United States or traveling internationally. David and Barbara especially remembered their big trip to Europe with St. Mark's. At home David was a voracious reader, consuming book after book of history and current events, and was an avid sports fan, following his hometown Chicago White Sox and Iowa Hawkeyes.
Above all, family was his most important treasure. His grandchildren were very important to him and he enjoyed attending their concerts, soccer games and dance competitions. David's family will greatly miss his love, his wisdom, and his creative sense of humor. (Dad, we'll never know if you were really a pirate in the Malacca Straits, but we'll keep the dream alive.)
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Seri Rossate, his in-laws, Ralph and Louise Jacob, and the beloved family dog, Shadow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Organ and Piano Fund of the St. Mark's Lutheran Church Foundation.
Please share your support and memories with David's family on his Tribute Wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under Obituaries.
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services – Cedar Rapids
Jeff and family, Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss… Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Jeff and family – With heartfelt condolences,
As a loving Brother, Uncle and Friend, we will forever keep David in our hearts and minds. Sending heartfelt thoughts of peace and courage to you all.
In loving memory of a great uncle and brother in law. He leaves behind so many special memories and a legacy of love. May god grant you peace.
I have so many fond memories of Dave and our time at St Luke’s together. He was one of my very favorite people there. His kindness, thoughtfulness and caring always about others are just a few of his many attributes. He will be missed! Sending prayers and sympathy to you Barb and your family
The first time I met Mr Rossate was in Morocco—when he and Mrs Rossate were visiting Julie. We were going to board a little skiff to cross a river (a very low-rent water taxi) from Rabat to Sale. Despite the (lack of?) quality of the skiff, David embraced the adventure of it! I appreciated his gusto and his way of being solid and steady in the face of a daunting experience. Our interaction in Morocco was not lengthy—and yet it signaled so much about Julie’s dad: his sense of adventure (travel to Morocco plus this little river trip), his steadying presence, and his good nature. I send all of the Rossate family my greatest sympathies as you mourn this loss. With love, Amy
I was privileged to knowDavid for many years at Mercy Hospital and later at StLukes. We shared many coffee breaks and luncheons at Mercy with David, always the gentleman and a friend to all. My late wife Judy worked with him for many years st StLukes. The world lost a fine man and my condolences to the entire family. Ronald Thenhaus
With love, from the VonWald family.
Dave Rossate was always a gentleman in all his doings. I worked with him in church for many years. His legacy is his calm demeanor and his ability to work through difficulties. I joine with Bard and this family in celebrating his life. He made a difference in so many ways. God’s blessings on you all. William C. Jacobson friend and fellow christian.
Oh dear Julie! I remember him as such a wonderful man – welcoming us with open arms in your house and making us feel like what we said mattered.
To the Rossate Family, I worked with David at Mercy Medical Center in HR. It was most enjoyable to have a knowledgeable, gentle, and kind manager. I now live in Arizona, however I was there with you in spirit, since I could not come to be with the family. For me, and I know many others ,it was a pleasure to have known Dave, he will be remembered for many years into the future. My Sincere Sympathy, Elaine Ferguson. Green Valley, AZ
Barb, it has been a long time but wanted you to know we are thinking of you at this time of grief. Leon and Marlene Schmidt