David Houck

FORT MYERS, FLA. - Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan. 6, at 1 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Capel for David S. Houck, 88, who went home to be with the Lord on Dec. 23, 2017, at Shell Point Retirement Community in Fort Myers.
David was born on June 21, 1929, in Beaver Falls, Pa., a son of the late Earl H. and Mary (Nelson) Houck, and came to the Youngstown area in 1955 from Aliquippa, Pa.
He graduated in 1947 from Aliquippa High School and from Geneva College with a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering in 1955.
David worked for U.S. Steel for a number of years, attaining the position of superintendent of the McDonald Works division. Following U.S. Steel's closure of those mills in 1978, he co-founded McDonald Steel Corp. in 1980 in McDonald, and was the president and CEO of the corporation. After semi-retiring, he served as vice-chairman of its Board of Directors.
He was active in the Youngstown area United Way, Youngstown area Chamber of Commerce, the American Red Cross, and co-founded the Youngstown Ski Club. He served as a director of Bank One (now Chase Bank), the Mahoning Valley Economic Development Corp., and the venture capital firm Torent, Inc. In 1984, he was selected as Small Business Person of the Year in the state of Ohio and was featured on the cover of Inc. magazine.
David was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church in Youngstown, where he served as an elder, deacon and trustee during the 1970s and 1980s. He proudly served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War from 1951 to 1954. Dave loved spending time at his beloved cabin on the river in Clarion, Pa., with family and friends, creating many happy memories on the water and next to campfires. After retiring, he moved to Florida, where he loved spending time soaking up sun and friendships.
He leaves behind a daughter, Heidi (Bill) Lueking of Hockessin, Del.; a son, Bryan Houck of Rockford, Mich.; three grandchildren, Will and Hayden Lueking, and David S. Houck II. He is also survived by his former wife, Linda Eisenzimmer, and a good friend and partner, Pauline Lanoue.
He was predeceased by his only sibling, Hugh Houck, of Pittsburgh.
Friends and family may call Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel, 3701 Starr Center Drive in Canfield and on Saturday at 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m.
Donations can be made in his name and sent to the Youngstown State University Foundation in C/O David S. Houck Scholarship, 655 Wick Ave, Youngstown, OH 44502.