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<p><em>David Carl Muntz</em>, the son of Harold and Dorothy Muntz, was born in Battle Creek, MI. Growing up on Gull Lake, Dave enjoyed sailing, skiing and hunting. He was also an avid photographer who later served his classmates well capturing cadet life for the Howitzer and serving as its photo editor his First Class year. </p>
<p>While at USMA, Dave was a regular member of the dean’s list and a true friend of the Goats. He was remembered in A-1 as a good man who was generous with his boodle and with his strategies in the battle of the books. He cared deeply about fulfilling his obligations and responsibilities to his classmates and to the country he loved. Dave was a proud member of the Long Gray Line, and many of his A-1 classmates were lifelong friends, in particular Ivar Rundgren, Dave’s closest friend. In their later years, they enjoyed amateur wine judging together and loved sharing good cigars.</p>
<p>In June 1956, after being commissioned a lieutenant of Engineers, Dave married his sweetheart, Gail Vyn Perrett, also of Battle Creek. Their first assignment was in Kassel, West Germany with a combat engineer battalion. Both of their children, Carla Vyn and Steven Harold, were born in Frankfurt during that initial assignment. Upon returning Stateside, the Muntz family spent two years in Ames, IA, where Dave earned a Master of Science degree in civil engineering from Iowa State in 1962. </p>
<p>Following graduation, Dave was able to provide his young family with stability, homesteading in Arlington, VA for eight years. During this time, Dave served as an assignment officer for the Corps of Engineers branch in Washington, DC. He deployed to Korea as a major and later to the Republic of Vietnam as a lieutenant colonel. These years also featured many family camping trips to “the land” in West Virginia.</p>
<p>In 1971, Dave was assigned to the Environmental Hygiene Agency, which resulted in his branch transfer to the Medical Service Corps. The family moved to idyllic Edgewood Arsenal, MD, where they enjoyed boating and horseback riding. Here, Dave discovered his love for flying small airplanes, eventually owning a Cessna 182. </p>
<p>In 1973, Dave was reassigned to Fort Sam Houston’s newly established Health Services Command and promoted to colonel. It was at Fort Sam’s high school that the Muntz children met their future spouses, Kevin Bergner and Anne Wallace, both Army brats. In June 1976, after 20 years of service, Dave retired from the Army.</p>
<p>Upon retirement, Dave and Gail moved to Augusta, GA, where he served with Continental Forest Industries, guiding their water quality compliance. He was subsequently employed at DuPont’s Savannah River Plant and later served with the private environmental engineering consultancy, Eder Associates, retiring in 1996. </p>
<p>In his professional life as a soldier, and later as a civilian environmental engineer, Dave distinguished himself as a servant leader, with extraordinary insight and intellectual curiosity. He was a critical thinker with an analytical mind that rarely rested. He was smart, serious and determined. While deployed to Korea, during a period of historic flooding, Dave’s crisis management and problem-solving skills were publicly recognized by the Korean government. His military awards and decorations included the Meritorious Service Medal and the Legion of Merit.</p>
<p>During retirement, Dave and Gail enjoyed several trips abroad with classmates and treasured their time with old friends. He was a class coordinator and scribe for the memorial articles project. Dave also enjoyed financial planning classes and caring for his parents, after relocating them to Augusta. The Muntzes delighted in visiting their married children and four grandchildren: Kyle, Meghan, Katie and George. They also loved hosting them at Lake Toxaway, NC or at their “farm” in Evans, GA.</p>
<p>In 2001, Dave lost his beloved Gail to cancer. Eventually, his own health challenges motivated him to move closer to family. In 2011, he moved to the Army Residence Community (ARC) in San Antonio, TX. While in San Antonio, he continued to serve his community. He served on the ARC’s Resident Council and volunteered at Fort Sam Houston’s Community Pharmacy and with his parish, St. Matthews Episcopal Church. At the ARC, Dave enjoyed the company of new friends, fellow West Point classmates and most importantly the loving friendship of Hedi West. The two of them were such a blessing to one another before Hedi lost her battle with cancer in 2017. </p>
<p>While in San Antonio, Dave was also blessed to meet his seven great-grandchildren: Lottie, Charlie, Flora, Ean, Gilbert, Elinor and Isaac. “Pops” established college funds for each of them, continuing a lifelong commitment of generous giving to his family and faith.</p>
<p>Dave’s last nine months were particularly challenging, but he was blessed by his family’s support and the ARC’s compassionate caregivers. Early on September 10, 2023, with family by his bedside, Dave was promoted to heaven! </p>
<p>Dave’s memorial service was held on October 6, 2023 at the Army Residence Community’s Cheever Chapel in San Antonio. This special celebration of life was attended by family, classmates, friends and caregivers. Dave’s ashes now rest with Gail’s at West Point, but they are both united in Heaven praising their Savior. </p>
<p>“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 ESV </p>
<p><em>— His loving Family</em></p>
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