David Richard

Engstrom SUN CITY WEST - David Richard Engstrom was born in Swedish Hospital, Minneapolis, on April 12, 1930 to George Engstrom, MD, a Swedish immigrant and Lucile Nelson Engstrom from Brooten, Minn. She was an accomplished musician and a Macalester College graduate. George received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota then opened his family medical practice in Belgrade, Minn. where David grew up and graduated from high school. He attended Carleton College, then transferred to the University of Minnesota where, in 1955, he graduated with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree. While at the University, in 1953, David (Delta Kappa Epsilon) met a pretty coed, Virgie Carpenter (Alpha Phi), pursuing an elementary education degree. Once Virgie accepted an offer to teach in San Bernardino (Calif.), it forced David's hand and he proposed marriage and they were married in Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis on May 21, 1955. David was hired by Chrysler Corporation into a student training program where he received a Master of Automotive Engineering degree. David served briefly on active duty as a U. S. Army Ordinance Officer followed by 34 years employment in Michigan with Chrysler where he held various engineering management positions in vehicle design and advanced product planning. During his employment he earned an M.B.A at Wayne State University in 1973. He credits his long tenure with Chrysler, through good times and bad, to a strong work ethic, continued education and his focus on perfection. David also credits his relationships with both Lee Iacocca and Carroll Shelby who were his contemporaries. Virgie and David built a home in Rochester Hills, a Detroit suburb, where they lived for 30 years. Virgie stayed at home for 14 years with sons Mark David (Scottsdale, Ariz.), John Eric (Evergreen, Colo.), Richard Thor (Chatsworth, Calif.), and Paul Dag (Denver, Colo.) before becoming a teacher in local elementary schools and attaining a Master's Degree in Classroom Teaching. David and Virgie have been active members of local Lutheran churches, serving on church councils and David as an Elder. Virgie and David planted several churches over the years and were involved in evangelistic ministries all of their adult lives. Both David and Virgie gave their lives to Christ and worked hard to live and tell the story of grace and forgiveness through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. During the working years, the family camped and traveled throughout the USA and in retirement, Virgie and David traveled extensively overseas as well. After retiring, David and Virgie spent winters in their home in Sun City West and, until just a few years ago, summer at Lake Lancer in Gladwin, Mich. in a home that the family built. David is survived by his wife, Virgie; brothers, Paul Frederick Engstrom and Rolf Engstrom; four devoted sons and eight very special grandchildren. David had a great love and admiration for his wife, Virgie, sons and their families, especially the grandchildren. David died peacefully on December 25, 2015 after a long struggle with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson's' Disease. Per their wishes, a Celebration of Life will be held at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Sun City West at a future date where both Virgie and David can be celebrated and remembered by their friends and family.