His obituary:
June 17, 1926 - April 02, 2012
David Willard Ludwig
David Willard Ludwig, 85, died Monday. Dave was born in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. Dave was a depression baby and knew and appreciated the value of hard work. At the age of 5 he began work by moving coal from the street to various neighbors' coal cellars, one bushel basket at a time. In fact, except for the first 4 years of his life and the last 5 years of his life, Dave worked tirelessly, often 18 hours a day. Before graduating high school, Dave had begun his work at a local Atlantic gas station repairing automobiles and also worked for Carnegie Tar & Asphalt Co., where he worked on road construction and was charged with the supervision of five other men.
Dave graduated from Wilkinsburg High School in 1943 at the age of 16. Shortly thereafter, Dave enlisted in the U.S. Army. Dave was sent to Virginia Tech for military training where he studied engineering, and as a result of his math skills was asked to instruct other enlisted men in mathematics. After his training, he was assigned to the Army Air Corp. Dave served with the Army until his honorable discharge in 1946. Although never being granted the rank, his discharge papers indicate that he served for six months prior to his discharge as a Sergeant Major.
After his military service, Dave attended Pennsylvania State University, graduating with a B.S. in Ceramic Engineering. Dave was offered a scholarship to Wharton School of Business for a graduate degree, but instead opted for a job and marriage.
Dave married his wife of 44 years, Kathryn Leanna Scofield (Kay), of Erie, Pennsylvania, on September 2, 1950. Dave and Kay were founding members of the Monroeville United Methodist Church, where he served for 13 years as the Church's Finance committee chair.
Dave started his professional career in 1950 with the Welsh Grape Juice Company in Westfield, NY. From 1951-1952, Dave then worked for the Harbison Walker Refractory Company as a certified engineer foreman. In 1952, Dave was employed by the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. (PPG), as a technical representative. Dave was promoted to Assistant Manager of PPG Industrial Glass Sales Department in 1963. In 1967 Dave was promoted to General Manager of Aircraft and Specialty Glass Division. Dave was assigned the task of consolidating and moving the manufacturing facilities of the Aircraft and Specialty Glass Division. His relocation team chose Huntsville, and in 1968, the manufacturing facilities were consolidated and moved to Chase Industrial Park. He was then tasked with moving the remaining executive team of the Division to Huntsville in 1970. In 1973, he joined MART Inc., as Executive Vice President. In 1976, Dave established Tennessee Valley Industries Inc. (TVI), where he worked until his retirement at age 80. While at TVI, he earned his Certified Financial Planners certificate, being the first in Huntsville to receive that certification.
Although a "transplant," Dave loved Huntsville and championed its various causes as often as he was able. He served with the Chamber of Commerce, and supported the Huntsville Museum of Art and the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. He was a member (42 years) of the Huntsville Rotary Club and was 32nd degree Mason. He also served for many years on the board of directors of the Huntsville Financial Estate Planning Counsel. Dave and his wife Kay were active members of the Valley United Methodist Church at the time of Kay's death.
The charitable organization that brought the most joy to Dave's heart was the Huntsville Rehabilitation Foundation (also known as Phoenix) serving as Chairman of the Board, and serving for 31 years on its board of directors and on its finance committee.
Seven years after Kay's death, Dave was fortunate to marry Nancy Sanford Williams, in 2001, and they remained married and deeply devoted to one another until the date of his death.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Louis Ludwig and Frances Hayes Willard Ludwig; his wife of 44 years, Kathryn Leanna Scofield Ludwig; his brothers and sister: Harold Louis Ludwig, Jr., George William Ludwig, and Nancy Elizabeth Ludwig.
He is survived by his wife of 11 years, Nancy Sanford Williams Ludwig; three children, David W. Ludwig, Jr. (Judy), Thomas A. Ludwig ( Betty), and Scott E. Ludwig (Kathy); six grandchildren, James Robert Ludwig, Jennifer L. Watts (Jeff), Todd W. Ludwig (Natalie), Charles Robert Chase Ludwig, Nicholas Thomas Ludwig, and Nathan Hayes Ludwig; two great grandchildren, Alexis Ludwig and Ben Ludwig; a sister, Barbara Ludwig Myers; four step-children, Linda Nelson (Will), Leigh Houlder (Steve), Robert Williams (Susan), and John Williams (Lesa); eight step-grandchildren, Gayle Brown (Jason), Leslianna Garlington (Andy), Kathryn Senger (Robby), Adele Houlder, J.R. Williams, Kaitlyn Williams, Kasey Williams, Allie Williams; and three great step-grandchildren, Nancy Grace Brown, Nelson Brown, Gray Garlington.
Dave enjoyed traveling, the stock market, card games, holding court at breakfast at the Heritage Club, spending time with his friends at parties of any sort, and spending time with his family. Dave was an early adopter of technology and loved spending time on the computer.
Pallbearers will be James Robert Ludwig, Jenifer L. Watts, Todd W. Ludwig, Charles Robert Chase Ludwig, Nicholas Thomas Ludwig, and Nathan Hayes Ludwig.
Honorary pallbearers will be Bob DeYoung, Frank Stewart, St. John Courtenay, Jewel Moody, Jack Montgomery, Bill Heidish, and Bryan Dodson.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday at Maple Hill Cemetery with Masonic and Military rites.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Huntsville Rehabilitation Foundation (also known as Phoenix).
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