David W. Hoeppner

David W. Hoeppner passed away peacefully on February 18, 2022, in Salt Lake City at the age of 86.

David is survived by his wife of almost 63 years, Sue M. Hoeppner, his children, Laura Hoeppner (Silverthorne, CO), Lynne Marquis (Issaquah, WA), Amy Taylor (Salt Lake City, UT), and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Lillian Hoeppner, and six siblings. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather.

David was born in Waukesha, WI. He earned a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Marquette University in 1958, and a Master of Science in Metallurgical Engineering in 1960 and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1963 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

After graduating, David worked in the aeronautical and aerospace industries at Battelle Memorial Institute and at Lockheed. He then built a career in his life’s passion as an engineering educator, serving as a professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia (1974-78), as the Endowed Cockburn Professor of Engineering Design and Director - Structural Integrity, Fatigue, and Fracture Research Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Toronto, (1978-1985), and as the Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering (1985-1992) and a professor (1985-2012) at the University of Utah. He founded FASIDE (Fatigue and Structural Integrity Design Engineering), the HOLSIP (Holistic Structural Integrity Process) Conference, and the Quality and Integrity Design Engineering Center at the University of Utah. He supervised hundreds of undergraduate, 130 Masters, and 48 PhD students, nurturing and mentoring to become successful engineers and individuals. His professional legacy lives on through improved quality and reliability in engineering.

David taught an adult education class, The Life and Times of Jesus, at Christ United Methodist Church for 35 years.

Dr. Hoeppner received dozens of awards and honors. He was the recipient of the 2005 Utah Governor’s Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Science and Technology and was especially proud to be inducted to the Waukesha High School Wall of Fame, WI, on Sept. 29, 2006.

David loved to ride his bike, hike, ski, swim, garden, visit national parks, and watch the hummingbirds. In memory of David: Carpe Diem (Seize the Day) and have a PMA (Positive Mental Attitude).
A typical exchange with David:
“I always told students, post-docs and colleagues, try to get one golden nugget of knowledge per day. If you do, you will end up very rich spiritually and intellectually and in other ways. Keep your eyes/focus on the prize. Where is the golden nugget in this lecture?
Carpe diem. Peace and love to all. David”

Vaccinated family, friends, former students and colleagues are invited to a memorial service for David W. Hoeppner, scheduled for Friday, March 25, 2022, at Christ United Methodist Church in Salt Lake City at 11:00 a.m. The service will be streamed and recorded for those who are unable to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The David W. and Sue M. Hoeppner Scholarship Fund at the University of Utah Department of Mechanical Engineering, supporting women and under-represented students pursuing a mechanical engineering degree. Memorial donations can be made by clicking here: www.coe.utah.edu/hoeppner, by calling 801-581-6825, or by mailing a check to the University of Utah, P.O. Box 58006, Salt Lake City, UT 84158-0006.