Dates
David Louis Hirschfeld, 88, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2025. He was welcomed to Heaven by his precious wife, Judith, whom he lost October 7, 2023.
David was born on December 19, 1936, in San Angelo, Texas, to Louis William “L.W.” and Odie Amanda Hirschfeld. David grew up in San Angelo, attended Pulliam School, San Angelo High School, San Angelo College (ASU), and graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in Civil Engineering. After proudly serving in the United States Army, he returned home to San Angelo in 1962 and began work at his father’s welding shop on 29th street.
David became President of Hirschfeld Steel in 1963 and grew a small welding shop into one of the largest structural steel fabricators in the United States. Under his leadership, Hirschfeld Steel played an important role in constructing some of America’s most iconic bridges, stadiums, and industrial and commercial developments. In his “retirement years”, he found he couldn’t stay away from manufacturing metal and he acquired Wendland Manufacturing. Whether leading a steel fabrication company or a pressure-vessel manufacturing company, he led those companies to make a lasting impact in their industries.
David was a person of faith, devoted to family and community. He believed in giving without receiving, leading by example, and, as he put it, “never forgetting what it’s like to push a broom.” David was always mindful of his service. He and Judith often hosted military families in their home and supported the Goodfellow AFB whenever possible. David was acknowledged for his dedication to the San Angelo community, having been awarded the United Way’s Pioneer of the Year Award, the Citizen of the Year Award from the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce, the Distinguished Citizen Award, the Silver Beaver Award and the North Star Award from the Boy Scouts of America. Texas Tech University honored David with the Distinguished Engineer Award, and Angelo State University named David one of its Distinguished Alumni of the Year and in 2025 inducted him into its Spur Society. David honored his wife, Judith, by creating the Judith & David Hirschfeld Adoption Center at Concho Valley PAWS. He worked with Dr. Brian May and President Ronnie Hawkins from Angelo State University to establish the David L. Hirschfeld School of Engineering, ensuring future generations access to education in this field.
David was an active member of First Methodist Church in San Angelo, a proud member of the Bayith Sunday School Class, and a participant in The Walk to Emmaus. With intensity, he studied the Bible with friends on Wednesday mornings. David treasured the many friendships he shared with his fellow San Angelo Philosophical Society (SAPS) members. One of his favorite projects was rebuilding the old Catholic chapel that was located adjacent to the family ranch in Ft. McKavett. Now known as the “Hirschfeld Chapel,” it has hosted veterans for Sunday services on many occasions. In addition, David loved to fill the pews there with friends from all walks of life for Christmas caroling and church “Hymn Sings” that raised the roof of that old chapel!
David Hirschfeld’s legacy is not just in the bridges he built or the businesses he grew, but in the way he touched lives, his impact on the community he served, and the example he set for generations to come.
Preceding David in death are his parents, Odie and L.W.; an infant brother, Louis “Sonny” Hirschfeld; his brother-in-law, Eddie Slough; and his wife Judith. Left to cherish his memory are his children: David Louis Hirschfeld, Jr. and his wife Betty; Shawnee Hirschfeld Ingrum; Kendall Kyle Hirschfeld and his wife Lisa; and Wendall Wayne Hirschfeld and his wife Scarlet. David is also survived by his siblings, whom he adored: Janelle Slough and her family; Dennis Hirschfeld and his wife Laurie and their family. Like his father before him, David loved being called “Pampaw” by his grandchildren: David Louis Hirschfeld III, Kathryn Frances Hirschfeld; Alyssa Ingrum Dudley and husband Colin, Aaron Ingrum and wife Ellie, Austin Ingrum and wife Megan; Christopher Louis Hirschfeld and wife Bonnie, Amanda Grace Hirschfeld, Robert Harrison Hirschfeld; Jacqueline Hirschfeld Meyer and husband, Will, William Miles Hirschfeld, Grayson Thomas Anderson and wife Sarah, and Sydney Anne Anderson. His great-grandchildren will grow up knowing the legacy of David: Grayson and Mallory Dudley, Bennett Ingrum, and Peyton Ingrum (premiering March 2025). David’s extended family includes aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, friends and associates, and the hard-working men and women of Hirschfeld Steel and Wendland Manufacturing.
Jim Hocker, Patricia Chapa, Marilyn Floyd, Matt Gonzales, Barbara “Gladys” Johnson, Edna Johnson, Shelly Lechuga, and Stephanie Melendez are the latest additions to the Hirschfeld family.They made David’s latter years comfortable, safe and they treated him with dignity and respect. David’s family cannot thank them enough.
Special thanks to Dr. Darrell Herrington, Hospice of San Angelo, Curtis Holtman and Shane Wilson and their staff, Lyndale Senior Living, Reverend Carl Rohlfs, Reverend Cynthia Young, Reverend Scott Bradford, Reverend Bill Proctor, and Jessica and her family who adopted his cherished Weimaraner, Grace, when he became unable to care for her.
David’s Celebration of Life will be Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary of First Methodist Church; 37 E. Beauregard, San Angelo.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of choice or to:
Concho Valley PAWS: Judith & David Hirschfeld Adoption Center
3134 N. US Highway 67 San Angelo, Texas 76905
cvpaws.org
First Methodist Church Music Ministry
37 E. Beauregard San Angelo, Texas 76903
Firstmethodist.net
ASU Foundation, Inc. - The David Hirschfeld Department of Engineering Endowment
ASU Station #11023 San Angelo, Texas 76909
angelo.edu/DLH