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Lt. Colonel (Ret.) David Edward Freshwater died on July 31, 2026, in Leesburg, FL, after a brief hospitalization. He was 69.
David was born in Steubenville, OH, to the late John Wilbur and Kathleen Anne Freshwater of Wellsburg, WV. He is survived by his siblings Stephen (Jennifer) Freshwater, Judy (John) Polak, Michael (Julie) Freshwater, and Mary (Steven) Geib; his former wife, Donna Freshwater; and ten nieces and nephews.
He attended St. John School and graduated from Brooke High School in 1975, where he was a swim team letterman. An active Boy Scout, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.
David graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1979 with an Engineering degree and was commissioned as an Armor Officer. He served in the Army for 11 years, and the Army Reserve for 16 years.
In his civilian career, David worked as an engineer and scientist for Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). He then joined the Department of Energy (DOE), rising to Deputy Director of the DOE Office of Emergency Management Programs, National Nuclear Security Administration. David retired in 2025 and moved to Florida.
Dave was deeply devoted to his West Point Class of 1979. He served two terms as class Vice President, most recently from 2019 to 2025. Dave was also a model railroad enthusiast, and past president of the Northern Virginia NTRAK charitable organization.
For almost 50 years, David served his nation with utmost devotion and professionalism. His life embodied the West Point motto Duty, Honor, Country and we are all forever indebted to him for his service and friendship.
A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church, 1300 Charles St. Wellsburg, WV, on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at 11 a.m. Inurnment will be on October 7, 2026 at 10 a.m. at the U.S. Military Academy West Point Cemetery in West Point, NY.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his honor to the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts (wolftrap.org) or West-Point.org, an online community of USMA graduates and friends.
Arrangements by the Mullenbach Funeral Home 669 Main St. Follansbee, WV 26037.
Condolences may be sent to: www.mullenbachfh.com.