David Fountaine Black

David Fountaine Black was born on April 20, 1937 in Winslow, Arizona. He was raised in Flagstaff where his parents, Violette and Billie, were teachers on the nearby Navajo reservation. Dave grew up playing sports and excelling at school, especially in math. He attended the University of Arizona and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and later taught himself operational chemical engineering. He was in the ROTC and the Kappa Sigma fraternity. It was there, at the U of A, where he met the love of his life, the beautiful and smart Martha McDaniels who was also born in Winslow. They were married in 1959 and settled in San Diego. Dave served in the U.S. Army, and later worked as a civilian at the Toole Army Depot as a transportation specialist where he patented a mechanized van loading and uploading apparatus and system, and published multiple articles related to engineering innovations. He received multiple professional commendations over the years. Dave was a licensed Professional Engineer and earned a Masters in Science from Utah State University.

Dave and Martha and their three boys moved to Denver in 1974 when Dave started work at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. He and a business partner later purchased Mid-America Plating Company. Dave operated Mid-America for 36 years and finally retired in 2018.

He was a great golfer and natural athlete. Dave was an avid runner, and for many years, he woke up before the sun to get his miles in before work. He and Martha loved playing bridge with friends, gardening - growing fruit and flowers - and spending time outside relaxing and walking on the High Line Canal Trail and in Bible Park. Dave and Martha enjoyed getting back to Arizona during the winter at their Tucson home. They loved spending time with their family.

Dave passed away on February 20, 2026. He is loved by family and friends and will be missed. Dave was a hard-working, kind, optimistic, and thoughtful person who leaves the world a better place. He is survived by his wife, Martha, and his three sons, Dave (Robin), Tom (Debbie), Eric (Kendra), as well as six grandchildren and three great grandchildren, Casey (Nicole), Jake (Ashleigh and great granddaughter Faye), Hailey (Robby and great granddaughter Jensen), Keenan (Nicole and great granddaughter Olivia), Griffin, and Addie (Erik).