David Rootham

David L. Rootham
passed away peacefully, at home in Spring Lake Park, MN, at the age of 73, from complications of COPD and metastic breast cancer. Dave was born in Fargo, N.D., and raised in Detroit Lakes, MN. After graduating from high school in 1961, Dave joined the Navy and served in the Hospital Corps at Great Lakes Naval Academy into 1964. Dave used the GI bill to attend Northern Illinois University, graduating in 1970 with a Bachelors' degree in Biology. He began a rewarding 40+ year career in Information Technology working with the NIU library computers. Dave worked for a number of large firms in the Chicago and Twin Cities areas. He was involved in numerous major projects at TCF Bank in the 1980's and early 1990's and implemented the first personal computers there. Dave opened his own IT consulting firm in the late 1990's to help small businesses take advantage of the power and potential of IT. He retired from full-time work in 2009. When Dave wasn't working with businesses on their IT needs, he worked with family, friends and his church on their IT needs. Dave and Curt spent many hours working with the church's technology. Dave learned the value of exercise early in life and was a long time health club member. He believed that his physical fitness added a few years to his life.
Dave married Suzanne Dollinger in September of 1964. The birth of their daughters, Michele and Melissa, were the most important days of his life. He was so proud of the loving, intelligent women they have become and of the 9 grandchildren they gave him. He was especially pleased with the high school graduation of 4 grandsons this last spring. Dave married Kathy White on October 8, 1983. Dave was a long-time member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Moundsview, where he headed the Board of Trustees for a time and helped guide the church's 2000 building project. He was a long-time member of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Dave loved new experiences and travel. He travelled with Kathy to England, Australia, Paris, Norway and all over the U.S. Dave was especially fond of Hawaii. The sun, sand, waves and trails held a great fascination for this northern Minnesota boy. Dave also loved to camp, loved stargazing and combined the two whenever possible. Dave was a big reader, especially science fiction and fantasy. Dave enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was known among the family for his love of photography and photographed numerous family occasions.
Dave was intelligent and kind, patient, unassuming and witty. He loved a good joke and made friends easily. He will be dearly missed by so many people. Dave's last act of kindness to the world was donating his eyes to the Mn Lions Eye Bank to benefit someone else.
Preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Donna Schnitzer, and biological father John R. Rootham. Survived by wife, Kathy; daughters, Michele (Jeff) Wunderlich and Melissa (Brian) Bromwich; grandchildren Jeff Jr, Nathan, Cody, Jonah, Matthew, Dylan, Peter, Grace and Isaac; brothers Jan (Sandy) Rootham, Robert (Sue) Schnitzer, Timothy (Kim) Schnitzer and sister Pam (Mike) Noah; many nieces and nephews; numerous extended family and friends, including Suzie Schmit. Visitation from 5-8pm Friday, September 9 at Miller on University, 7398 University Ave NE, Fridley. Funeral service Saturday, 11am at Messiah Lutheran Church, 2848 Cty Rd H2, Moundsview, with visitation starting at 10am at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to one of the following organizations:
Angel Foundation - www.mnangel.org
Mayo Clinic Cancer Research - www.mayoclinic.org
Minnesota Lions Eye Bank - www.mnlionseyebank.org
Springbrook Nature Center Foundation - www.springbrookfoundation.org

Kathy, Michele and Lisa would like to thank Dr. Laudi and the Mn Oncology Coon Rapids staff, the Allina Coon Rapids Pulmonology group, especially Drs. Baker and Chmielewski, and Dr. Gerst for their efforts over the years to enable Dave to have a good quality of life. A special thank you to the Unity Hospital ICU staff and Allina Hospice units for your professionalism and loving care of Dave.