David William Heussmann

Dave was born October 21, 1941, at Brush to Otto August Herman and Margaret Floy (Harbert) Heussmann. His early life was spent on the plains of eastern Colorado near Last Chance where he learned the value of hard work and perseverance working on the family ranch. He was a graduate of Woodlin High School in Woodrow, Colorado Technical Institute and the University of Colorado.

He met his soulmate, Beverly Griffin, on October 21, 1959, at the family ranch at Last Chance, asked her to be his lifelong partner on March 11, 1960, and they married on May 28, 1960, in Beverly’s hometown of Colby, Kansas. They began their family legacy with the birth of their first son, Wade Scott on October 13, 1961, followed by their daughter Annette Jolene on January 25, 1963, and their second son, Wendell “Jake” Irvin on February 13, 1964.

Dave had a busy and rewarding career as an electrical design engineer. He was recognized as the Best of the Best of the Best of the Information Products Division at IBM. He began his communications engineering career at Martin Marietta in Waterton in October of 1960. He worked for Diebold Safe and Lock Company before becoming the third employee hired at IBM Boulder in April of 1965. He spent the next 30 years there leading numerous innovative design teams, developing ground communications networks, and space based infrared systems. He was proud to have led the development of Sat 16 which was delivered to space orbit by the Space Shuttle Discovery. After retiring from IBM in 1985, he became an independent contractor to the United States Department of Defense as a communications engineer through Satellite Data Systems. His work required much travel both nationally and internationally. His work in Europe afforded he and Bev the opportunity to see many beautiful places. He also owned and operated Double Eagle Machine Works doing milling and excavation work. His love of the ranch lived on as he and his wife purchased an acreage near Frederick in 1966. Here they lived in a humble dwelling while he designed their forever home, a mansion on a hill. The family spent years building it from the ground up with Dave, Bev, and their children’s hands, blood, sweat and tears. It was here that they raised their children, farmed and raised cattle, and here where he passed.

Dave was a member of the IBM Quarter Century Club and the Colorado Society of Model and Experimental Engineers. He and Bev were proud supporters of their children spending countless hours sitting in the stands watching their athletic competitions, music competitions, concerts, and musicals and serving on the school booster club and helping to bring a high school back to Frederick.

He was preceded in death by his parents Otto and Margaret Heussmann, his parents-in-law Amos and Nina Griffin, his son Wade Heussmann, and his grandsons Clayton David Heussmann and David Wade Heussmann.

He is survived by the love of his life, soulmate and wife of 62 years Beverly; his children Annette McConnell and Wendell “Jake” (Brenda) Heussmann; his grandchildren Daylene (Jaycob) Abernathy, Mathew (Jeannette) McConnell, Arron (Becca Schreiner) McConnell, Tiffani (Daily McGrath) McConnell, Travis (Alta Agens) Heussmann, and Dakota Heussmann; his great grandchildren Izabelle Chambers, Annaliese Kelso, Abby McConnell, Samantha McConnell, Summer McGrath, Aries McGrath, Jacob Alexander, and Jaxin McConnell. He is also survived by his sister Sandra (Jack) Harshman; cherished honorary family members Denise and Phil Vaughan, Jodi and Arthur Wilden, and Cindy Hove; and his very special cousins Shari and Sam Ingo.

A Visitation will be held Friday, March 11, 2022, at LifeBridge Christian Church in Longmont, at 10:30 am followed by a Memorial Service at 12:30 pm, with Pastor Phil Vaughan officiating. A Graveside Service will follow at 2:00 pm and Dave will be laid to rest at Mountain View Cemetery in Longmont, next to his beloved son, Wade. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy are appreciated and may be shared at www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com.