David Lew Pringle

David Pringle, age 79, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2026, in Boulder, Colorado, where he had made his home for the past four years. A man of quiet confidence and unwavering character, David was the kind of person who earned your trust before he sought your friendship — and once you had both, you had them for life.

Born and raised in Flint, Michigan, David built a distinguished career in human resources and general management that took him across the country. He began at General Motors, where he developed the HR foundation that would define his professional philosophy. He went on to White Motors in the truck manufacturing industry before joining United Airlines, where he rose to Executive Vice President of Human Resources. In 1987, he joined Emerson Electric as Chief Human Resources Officer — a role that showcased his rare ability to lead people at the highest levels of a major corporation.

Not content to specialize, David made the uncommon move into general management, serving as President of Louisville Ladder and later leading Emerson Tool Company. In 2003, he took on the role of CEO at Broan-NuTone in Milwaukee, capping a career that spanned manufacturing, the travel industry, and building/consumer products. He also served on the Boards of Directors at ATS and Robert Family Holdings. David retired in 2014 — not to rest, but to be present for his wife, Julie, during her illness. That choice said everything about who he was.

David lived by a high moral code and held others to the same standard — not with judgment, but with the quiet expectation that people could rise to it. He was not a man who wore his heart on his sleeve, but those who knew him well experienced a warmth and openness that made his friendship deeply meaningful. His integrity was not something he talked about. It was something you felt. That same character defined how he led. David was an aggressive businessman who drove results, but he never lost sight of what he believed most: that people are the foundation of any great organization. He led through a rare blend of vision, inspiration, intuition, and disciplined metrics — and the teams who worked for him knew they were valued, challenged, and trusted in equal measure.

Outside of the boardroom, David was most at home with friends and family enjoying the great outdoors. An avid golfer, upland hunter, and fisherman, he pursued each with the same competitive spirit and good humor that defined him — and was never opposed to a friendly wager to make things interesting. In his final years, his faithful companion Cody, his dog, was a constant and cherished presence at his side.

David is survived by his son, Eric as well as Eric’s heart and soul, Nilcéia Anchieta. In addition, he left behind his grandson (Clay), his sister (Sybil), his sister-in-law (Ree Ann), several nieces and nephews, and some very close friends. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Julie Pringle, who passed away in 2022 after 55 years of marriage. David faced his final years with the quiet faith that he would spend eternity by her side.

David Pringle was a man who made those around him better — at work, at play, and in life. He will be deeply missed.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 11:00 AM at First Mortuary. Family and friends are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to City of Hope Cancer Research at www.cityofhope.org.