David Alan Schmerbach, 79, of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away peacefully in his sleep, with his family at his side, on July 27, 2026, at 3:09 p.m. in Dubuque.

A wake service will be held at 12:45 p.m. and visitation to follow from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at Leonard Funeral Home and Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Rd, Dubuque. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 3, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Columbkille Catholic Church in Dubuque. Military Honors accorded by the American Legion Post #6 will follow mass. Entombment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery will take place at a later date.

Born in Dubuque on August 24, 1946, Dave was the son of Raymond and Gertrude (Winders) Schmerbach. He was a proud and active alumnus of Dubuque Senior High School, graduating with the Class of 1964. Following high school, Dave answered the call to serve his country, honoring the nation as a Sergeant E-5 in the United States Army Cavalry during the Vietnam War.

On January 29, 1966, Dave married the love of his life, Penny (Smith) Schmerbach, at St. Patrick’s Church in Dubuque. Together, they built a beautiful life centered around faith, family, and adventure.

Dave was a dedicated employee of John Deere, where he worked on the assembly line and as a flame cutter, retiring after 42 years of steadfast service. He was also a faithful member of St. Columbkille’s Church.

Dave was a son, a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a godfather. Family was everything to him, including his ‘extended family.’ He was an explorer with a profound love for traveling and experiencing life, visiting all 50 states and numerous foreign countries alongside his wife, Penny. He loved taking trips to Florida to visit his son—often humoring Penny with visits to Walt Disney World—and traveling to Colorado to spend time with his daughter and grandchildren.

Throughout his life, Dave was a man of many passions. He enjoyed bowling, snowmobiling (serving as an instructor), and weekend summer camping in Guttenberg and Delhi, Iowa. Later, at Smokey Hollow Campground in Lodi, Wisconsin, he became a beloved fixture, affectionately known as the “Campground Grandpa” and serving as Santa for Christmas in July. He was a dedicated Ice Hockey Dad and Grandfather, as well as a Soccer Dad.

Dave was incredibly active in his community. He served as a Boy Scout leader, Past President of the John Deere Retirement Association (JDRA), past President of the Holy Name society, a Tour Bus Organizer and Guide, and a member of the Reflections in the Park setup crew. He was an All-Star Country Dancer member, an avid Card Club and Dominoes player, and thoroughly enjoyed breakfast outings with his friends at local Dubuque restaurants. A massive sports and entertainment fan, Dave loved watching any ice hockey game, Saturday Iowa Hawkeye and Central Florida Knights football, NFL Sundays, NASCAR races, and country music concerts. He even enjoyed live baseball whenever his son could convince him to go.

Known as a friend to all, Dave had a heart of gold and would give anyone the shirt off his back. To those who knew and loved him, he was also their own personal GPS and Rand McNally.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Penny Schmerbach; his children, David E. Schmerbach and Sara R. Schmerbach; his cherished grandchildren, Jennasea Schmerbach, Jalyn Schmid, and Jaycie Schmid; and his beloved dogs, Copper Penny and Chloe Grace. He is also survived by his siblings, Raymond (Mary Jane) Schmerbach, Rose (John “Tex”) Mitchell, and Mary Walter; his sisters-in-law, Roberta Schmerbach, Betty McPhail, and Sally Schmerbach; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and Godchildren.

Dave was preceded in death by his beloved twin sons, Shawn and Shane Schmerbach; his parents, Raymond and Gertrude Schmerbach; his sisters, Shirley (Al) Revenig, Marilyn (Jim “Mac”) McInerney, and Annie (Wayne) McClain; his brothers, Kenneth, Ralph “Skip”, and Bob Schmerbach; his brothers-in-law, Ron Walter, Robert Smith, Doug Houston and Keith Budde; and his sister-in-law, Pat Houston.

Dave will be deeply missed, but his adventurous spirit, generous heart, and unwavering love for his family will be remembered forever.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Dubuque and Harmony Care Center of Dubuque for their care.