With aching hearts, we share that David William Underwood-beloved husband, father, son, brother, teacher, friend, and light in this world-died suddenly on Saturday, June 21, 2025, in a tragic accident while vacationing with his family. He was 51.
Dave was doing what he loved most – making memories with the people he cherished. To know him was to know someone who gave himself fully – to his family, his students, his community, and his calling to make the world more compassionate and joyful.
Born in Illinois on October 25, 1973, to Wendell and Ruth Underwood, Dave graduated from Zion-Benton High School in 1991. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Carthage College (Summa Cum Laude) and his Master’s in Administrative Leadership from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He poured his gifts into a life of purpose as a beloved teacher at Harborside Academy in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He taught 7th grade social studies and mentored countless students with boundless patience, passion, and humor. Dave received multiple awards throughout his career, most recently the 2023 Klingenstein Award from EL Education, recognizing his outstanding commitment to transformative learning.
Dave believed every student should feel seen. His classroom was a place of creativity, inclusion, and deep connection. He wasn’t afraid to have the hard conversations – about race, poverty, or justice – and he modeled how to meet those conversations with grace, courage, and empathy. From organizing food drives to fundraising for the Grace Welcome Center, and always encouraging others to join in the work of community healing, he was a true bridge-builder. Dave always was reaching for something greater.
He lived his faith with a quiet, steady boldness. A current member of Grace Lutheran Church, Dave loved God by loving people. He sang and played justice songs outside political rallies. He helped transform the sanctuary to make space where children and families could feel welcome and included. He showed up – not with ego, but with heart.
On June 21, 1997, Dave married the love of his life, Senja Riutta. For 28 years, they built a life rooted in faith, love, grace, and deep understanding. He was her teammate, her grounding presence, and her safe place. Together they raised three beautiful, amazing children – Gracie, Samuel, and Augustus (“Gus”) – each a reflection of Dave’s fierce love and gentle strength.
He had a beautiful, unique relationship with each of his kids. He played music with Samuel and was thrilled to have turned their garage into a jam space. He was Gracie’s spiritual and emotional compass – the one who danced with her at daddy-daughter dances and talked with her about life’s big and hard questions. And for Gus, who navigates life with autism and anxiety, Dave was his everyday rock. Every morning this past school year, they rode to school together listening to Brian Regan’s comedy. Dave made Gus laugh and feel safe. At lunch, Gus would eat in his dad’s classroom. Dave would refill his water bottle, walk him to class, pray over him, and carry the weight of being both teacher and safe harbor. And he did it all every day with compassion and joy.
Dave reached big, even in the most personal ways. He had planned a summer of concerts, fishing, and boys’ outings. Dave, Senja, Samuel, and Gus saw Brian Regan live, a comedian whose routines had become a shared joy between him and Gus during their morning rides. Dave reached out to Brian Regan’s team, sharing their story. The day of the concert, Dave received a message at the venue: Brian Regan wanted to meet them. That night, they shared an unforgettable moment, just one more example of how Dave turned ordinary hopes into extraordinary memories.
Dave was a man of rhythm and soul. He taught himself guitar, began playing drums over the past couple of years, and loved nothing more than singing and playing music alongside his kids on Sunday mornings. He wrote songs that wove together his love for justice, hope, and the beauty of life. His song “Rainbow on My Windowpane,” inspired by the early days of the pandemic, became a symbol of light in dark times. He had just re-recorded it before their trip, finally satisfied that it sounded just right. He had told Senja, “When we get back, I want to paint the rainbows and hearts on our windows again. The world needs hope.”
He was also a man of recovery, deeply grateful for his sobriety. He often said life was so much better sober and he lived that truthfully, intentionally, and with deep gratitude.
Dave will be deeply missed by his wife Senja; their children, Gracie, Samuel, and Augustus; his parents, Wendell and Ruth Underwood; his siblings, Brian (Sharon) Underwood, Tracey (Larry) Berken, and Sara (Steven) Schuth; his in-laws, David and Janice Riutta; his brothers-in-law, Matthew (Amy) Riutta and Marc (Ravin) Riutta; his nieces and nephews, Amanda (Ryan) Deck, Abby (Josh Graham) Klabunde, Cameron Underwood, McKenzie Underwood, Matthew, Morgan, Miranda Schuth, Olivia and Jack Riutta; his great-nephew, Johnny Morehouse and great-niece, Arabella Morehouse; and his beloved Cody Bear, his dog and best friend, and Frankie his family dog.
He is reunited in peace with his grandparents, Harry and Corabell Morgan, Otis and Dolores Underwood, Wesley and Ruth Riutta, Roseann Biesack, his best friend, Chris Gomez, and his sweet dogs, Macky Boy and Babs Girl.
Dave leaves behind a community of students, colleagues, neighbors, and friends who are forever changed because he lived among us. He showed us how to love bigger, laugh louder, and give more. He made people feel seen. He went the extra mile and got things done always with a smile, a joke, and an open heart.
There are no words that can fill the void or fix the pain of his absence, BUT we can honor Dave by living like he did: love your neighbor well. Dance your heart out. Make the memory. Speak up for what’s right. Laugh often. And keep your heart open.
Dave’s life was a testament to what it means to love like Jesus; fully, radically, and without exclusion. That is the legacy he leaves behind; in his children, his students, and everyone lucky enough to have known him.
In his daughter Gracie’s words:
“You were my first example of what it meant to love like Jesus. You didn’t just claim a Christian faith – you wrestled with it, broke it down, and rebuilt it with me. You taught me that following Christ meant loving people fully, radically, unconditionally… You were proud of me – I know that. But Dad, I hope you know how proud I am of you… I carry your words, your wisdom, and your joy with me. I will keep singing. I will keep seeking justice. I will keep loving big, wide, and without fear – because that’s what you taught me to do.”
Let us carry it forward.
All are welcome to attend. In keeping with Dave’s free-spirit nature, those in attendance are encouraged to dress as they wish. As he always said, “Whatever makes you feel comfortable!”
The service may be viewed via livestream on the following link https://bit.ly/davidunderwood.
In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances to Walkin’ In My Shoes, 2211 50th Street, Kenosha, WI 53140-3162, https://walkininmyshoes.org/donate would be appreciated by the family.
Visitation
DATE:
July 9, 2025 from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
LOCATION:
Harborside Academy
913 57th St Kenosha, WI 53140
Memorial Service
DATE:
July 9, 2025 at 6:00 pm
LOCATION:
Harborside Academy
913 57th St Kenosha, WI 53140
