David "Dave" Dean Utzinger, Sr.

David “Dave” Dean Utzinger, Sr.

David Dean Utzinger Sr., 77, fondly known as “The Utz,” of Mechanicsburg, PA, passed away at home after a long illness on Monday, March 2, 2020, with his wife by his side.

Born January 9th, 1943 in Plainfield, N.J., he was the son of Mary Elizabeth Roeder and the late Arthur J. Utzinger. He was a 1961 graduate of North Plainfield High School and at the age of 19 began selling cars to help support his widowed mother and two younger brothers. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1964 until 1970.

David was known for his lifelong love of golf, fishing and football. He grew up spending his younger years down the Jersey shore surf-fishing with his brothers and his best friends, Ed and Ritchie. He will be most remembered as a regular fun-loving, happy guy, who loved a good cold beer, playing poker with his buddies, and debating politics whenever anyone would engage with him.

His positive attitude and persuasive ways led him to a life path dedicated to sales. From selling ladies' shoes and cars in North Plainfield, to a full-fledged career in fleet sales at Hertz, Avis and Isuzu, he could always, “land the deal.”  He was the General Manager at the Mason Dixon Auto Auction, founder of the Public Auto Auction Association, and most recently an Auto Auction Remarketing Consultant and founder of CUBU LLC, a medical supply company. David was also a member of the American Legion and the Elks Club.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 35 years, Linda Nofsker Utzinger of Mechanicsburg, PA; his former wife Patricia Stipe Utzinger, Doylestown, Pa., and their children, Amy Utzinger Kapp of Erwinna, Pa., Kerry Lynn Utzinger of Danbury, Ct., Bonnie Jean Walker and husband Daniel Walker, Jr. of Bedminster, Pa.,, David Dean Utzinger Jr. and wife Jamie Greenleaf Utzinger of Stewartsville, N.J; six grandchildren,  Kristin, Danny, Kyle, Jake, Dax, William; and a great-grandson, Aldo James (“AJ”); a step-daughter, Cindy L. Lovenguth, of Mechanicsburg, Pa., and a step-grandson,  Matthew.

He is also survived by his brothers, Richard Utzinger and his wife Karen of Savannah, Ga., Thomas Utzinger and his wife Carolyn of Elizabeth, N.J., Kent Roeder and his wife Kathleen O’Brien of Sparta, N.J., and John Roeder and his wife Clarice of Dacula. Ga.; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

David was preceded in death by his stepfather Kenneth G. Roeder.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society.   Services will be private.

David’s family has entrusted his care to Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read David’s full obituary and sign his official guest book at Buhrig.com.