Family says Buffalo Township man was dedicated to business, community
Dave Roenigk helped drive his family business in more ways than one.
As part owner of the transportation company started by his father, Bill Roenigk, in 1945, Dave Roenigk would perform just about all the duties at W.L. Roenigk — from driving school buses to landscaping. He was mowing the lawn Wednesday morning at the company’s base on Ekastown Road in Buffalo Township when he was struck by a pickup truck, killing him. He was 62.
Dave Roenigk’s sister, Sue Roenigk, said her brother was always more interested in working alongside the company’s employees than being their boss. She said that as the two middle children of eight, she was close with her brother, who was born just two years after her.
“Dave was very good at working side-by-side with other people, which was very appreciated,” she said. “I think Dave and I were the most quiet of the bunch because we were the middle kids.”
Sue Roenigk said of Bill Roenigk’s children were involved in W.L. Roenigk’s from a young age. She said while the girls did some of the jobs — such as cleaning and office work — the Roenigk boys drove trucks and did maintenance work.
Dave Roenigk loved when he got to be outdoors during the job, likely because of the time he spent as a child raising cattle on the family’s farm.
“He was the grounds manager. He always wanted to keep things looking nice and whatnot,” Sue said. “He loved, loved, loved to cut grass.”
Even the children Dave Roenigk interacted with enjoyed his quiet presence. Shawn Stivenson, transportation coordinator for Freeport Area School District, said he could always count on Dave Roenigk to smile and wave from his school bus as he drove by.
“He was very good with the kids, well-liked,” Stivenson said. “He was a very caring, easygoing, quiet man; he enjoyed his job and was very proud of his job.”
W.L. Roenigk has been a transportation provider for Freeport Area School District since the company began, so Stivenson worked with the family for his whole career. He said the whole family has been great to him, the school district and the students.
Sue Roenigk said the loss of her brother has devastated the family, and his survivors are probably going to be picking up the pieces personally and professionally for some time.
“It was certainly a shock,” Sue said. “I think we're all still too much in disbelief to even start comprehending what happens next week.”
Dave Roenigk is survived by two sons, Matthew David Roenigk and Joseph A. Roenigk; his mother, Jeanne Korbeck Roenigk; the mother of his children, Michelle Roenigk of Natrona Heights; four grandchildren, Lane, Blake, Grant and Willa; and his siblings, Richard Keville, Barb Myers, Butch Furer, Patricia Roenigk, Susan Roenigk, Michael Roenigk, Andrew Roenigk and Nancy Stewart.
He was preceded in death by his father, William L. Roenigk; and three brothers, William L. Roenigk Jr., Robert A. Roenigk and Fred Keville.
Friends of Roenigk will be received from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Fox Funeral Home, 410 W. Main St., Saxonburg. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.
