David Evans Zitzman

David Zitzman of Norton, Ohio passed away peacefully at home on September 8, 2026 at the age of 82 after a long period of illness.

He was born in Ogden, Utah to Henry and Margaret Zitzman and was one of three children.

Dave was a lifelong faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. At the age of 19 he served for 2.5 years in the German Bavarian Mission and was called upon many times during his life to serve in different callings for the church, including as a Bishop of the Akron Ohio Ward.

He graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Shortly before graduating he married the love of his life, Linda Kenfield. They were married in December 1968 in the Salt Lake Temple and spent the next 58 years by each other’s side happily married. In 1969 they moved to Akron, Ohio where David started his career with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. As a Chief Engineer, he worked for 39 years researching and designing aircraft tires. Through his work, he was given incredible opportunities to travel and see the world while working in tire maintenance with airlines.

The family enjoyed living in Luxembourg for 3 years while he worked at the Goodyear Tech Center before returning home to Ohio.

They had 6 children, Kirk Zitzman (Melanie), Andrew Zitzman (Traci), Bryan Zitzman (Lori), Spencer Zitzman (Larissa), Melissa Sell (Scott), and Brent Zitzman (Jessica), 19 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He enjoyed watching his children participating in numerous sports, marching band and other school activities. He enjoyed telling stories from his days as a pitcher playing fast pitch softball. He loved to pitch when he could get one of his kids to catch for him.

David was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather (Papa). If you saw Linda, you could bet David was nearby. There were few things in life that gave him more joy than spending time with her, his children and grandchildren. You could see the joy and pride in his face as he would watch any one of his six children succeed, whether it be in school, sports, jobs or life in general. He taught his children the value of hard work, sacrifice, honesty, and treating others with respect.

David was proceeded in death by his parents, Henry and Margaret Zitzman, sister Joan Schooff, father and mother-in-law Vern and Virginia Kenfield. He has been buried in Ogden, Utah next to his parents.