David Robert Schirtzinger

David Robert Schirtzinger, age 59, of Columbus, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 30, while on vacation with his family in his favorite place, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. He was born in Columbus, Ohio, on August 8, 1963. He was preceded in death by his father Robert Schirtzinger. He is survived by his wife Mary Ann; children, Jeffrey (Crystal Gunter), Matthew (Elizabeth), Mark (Maggie Beck), Danny (Erin Pike), and Nathan (Sam Bettencourt); grandchildren, Michael and Marie Schirtzinger; and his mother Anna Kathryn “Kay” Schirtzinger (née Gray). He is also survived by his brother Matthew Schirtzinger (Lisa), and sister Teresa Schirtzinger and her children Nicholas, Anthony, and Alexander Panico, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. David loved his family, and built family wherever he went. Besides his five children, he was a father figure to many and a friend to many more.

An Eagle Scout, David gave his time and talent to Scouting for much of his life, as a participant, parent, and adult leader. From Cub Scout day camps to the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, he shared his love and knowledge of the outdoors with his Scouting family. He served as Cubmaster for 16 years and Troop Committee Chair for the entire existence of Troop 298. He helped two of his sons and three of his nephews, as well as many other scouts also achieve the rank of Eagle.

He graduated from The Ohio State University in 1986 with a degree in industrial design. During David’s long career in advertising and graphic design he worked for several agencies in the Columbus area. Two of his favorite professional accomplishments were working on the design team for what would become the Columbus Blue Jackets and starting his own firm. He began teaching at CCAD as an adjunct professor in 1996 and was a mentor, teacher, and colleague to many of his students over the past 28 years.

David committed himself to his community. In addition to the Boy Scouts, he served as president of St. Agatha’s chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and on the board of directors of the Bishop Griffin Resource Center. David volunteered weekly at the food pantry there and was instrumental in seeing completion of the center’s new facility.

David was a loving husband to Mary Ann for 36 years and freely gave his entire self to their marriage. The two met as children at St. Agatha School and have known each other for more than 50 years. David often spoke of the joy he derived from being a father. He always made himself present for events, both big and small, in his children’s lives. He cheered at countless hockey games, soccer games, school plays, and sat on the sidelines of many, many more practices. Wherever his family needed to be, David drove them, tallying hundreds of thousands of miles over his lifetime.

In recent years he relished his new role as a grandfather and happily volunteered to babysit his grandchildren.

He has dozens of nieces and nephews and played a significant role in all their lives. As well, David built family out of friendships and made everyone he met felt seen and heard.

In addition to the care he gave his family, friends, and volunteer activities, David loved to nurture his vegetable garden and nourish all who gathered around his table with delicious homemade meals. He also loved boating and fixing things (including boats), laughing and making others laugh.

Friends may call Monday, August 7, 2023, from 4 -7 p.m. at the St. Agatha Parish Hall. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at St. Agatha Catholic Church.  Burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.

For those who wish to honor David's almost 30 years of teaching at CCAD, the David Schirtzinger Endowed Scholarship Fund has been established in his honor. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Agatha’s chapter of the St. Vincent DePaul Society, St. Agatha School, the Bishop Griffin Resource Center or CCAD.

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