In Memory of David Roettger
For more than three decades, David Roettger dedicated his time, talent, boundless energy and heart to United Way of Central Indiana’s Facilities Maintenance Fund committee. He served as our unofficial “architect-in-residence,” trusted advisor and quiet force always present behind the scenes.
When he passed away in September at the age of 91, most of us at United Way couldn’t believe the number. David was analyzing projects, populating spreadsheets, raising his hand to help – and climbing agency roofs – right to the end of his time on earth.
David began volunteering with United Way in the late 1980s, bringing a rare combination of architectural and engineering expertise combined with personal humility to the sector’s ever-present – and sometimes incredibly challenging – maintenance needs. He never sought recognition, never raised his very modest consulting fee and never missed an opportunity to lend his skills to a good cause.
To David, the work mattered deeply. He loved visiting agencies in United Way’s network, meeting the people behind the mission and helping them translate their needs into reality. At the end of every day, David believed a strong and secure facility was just as important as the life-changing programs offered to our neighbors in need, and every agency deserved a quality project at a fair price.
Over the years, David became the backbone of our Facilities Maintenance Fund. He reviewed hundreds of grant applications, evaluated building plans, climbed ladders to inspect roofs and created detailed spreadsheets that made the committee’s work easy – and enjoyable. His careful analysis helped streamline funding decisions, and his wisdom and fairness earned universal respect among committee volunteers and United Way leadership. As one colleague put it, “If David said this is the way it is, then it was definitely right.”
David’s impact was astonishing: His work meant more than 1,500 grants totaling over $25 million went to hundreds of worthy organizations that help people live the lives they are capable of living. He was passionate about giving our neighbors in need stronger, safer and more welcoming spaces. His fingerprints are literally on the buildings and figuratively on the positive outcomes they created for people.
Beyond his architectural expertise, David was often described as having “a tough exterior protecting a very caring person.” He had a deep appreciation for the agencies United Way served and for the people working in them. And while he gave so much to others, David never stopped nurturing his own passions. He loved dabbling in his home building projects, tinkering with his convertible MG, and playing many rounds of his favorite sport, golf.
For United Way, David was our unsung hero, and we know he preferred it that way. His legacy will live on in every building he helped preserve, every nonprofit he strengthened and every person he worked with and alongside. He was, as a family member said, “a silent philanthropist — a man of few words, a heart of gold, and an energy that never quit.”
United Way of Central Indiana is deeply grateful for David’s decades of service, his commitment to community service and his unwavering belief in the power giving back. His life’s work reminds us that generosity isn’t about recognition – it’s about impact. And David’s impact will be felt for generations to come.
This tribute to David Roettger was made possible by interviews with and contributions from:
Jeff Brown, president/CEO, The Julian Center
Lillian Brown, director of facilities management, The Julian Center
Michael McKillip, director of infrastructure, United Way
Susan Roettger Reinhardt, niece
Bob Rush, retiree, United Way
Gary Woodworth, retiree, United Way