David C. Cartwright

David Charles Cartwright was born on July 2, 1947 in Salem, Ohio to Willis and Ilma Cartwright. He spent his childhood at the city park almost daily with friends, riding his bike, playing baseball and swimming, and with an interest in how things worked at an early age, especially cars. After graduating from East Palestine High School, he received a professional degree from The Ohio State University in metallurgical engineering. His internship at Jeffrey Mining Company lead to a full-time position, and then a transfer to Marion Power Shovel. He traveled for both companies around the world to Mexico, England, Canada and Australia several times, which is where his love of sailing took hold. As part of those jobs, he learned computer programming early which led to working for Baan, EDS, and finally to TRECA from where he retired.


Outside of work hours, he volunteered as a member of the Optimist Club, Friends of the Library and attended Trinity Lutheran Church, serving on many committees over the years. At home, during spring, summer and fall, he loved to garden trying out new types of seeds, and at times would make homemade wine or perhaps vinegar if it didn’t go well. He enjoyed taking his long walks in the wooded areas at each house he owned over the years. He spent winter hours enjoying reading and watching his favorite science fiction television shows and movies. Summers at the family cabin would find David enjoying fishing, canoeing and swimming. Saturdays would find him attending or watching The Ohio State Buckeyes during football season. His creativity flowed with his engineering precision doing woodworking and stained-glass art. For David, most importantly, he loved spending time with his family, whether it was a simple walk, or teasing his grandchildren, and would always end his day watching the sunset from the back porch or at the family cabin.


He was preceded in death by his parents and Karen, his beloved wife of more than 53 years. He is survived by his children, Kathryn and Charles, and his grandchildren, Elizabeth, Nicole, Josephine, and David.


A celebration of life for both David and Karen will be held on September 30, 2023 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Marion, Ohio.