Known as “Corky” growing up and “Crash” in the Kansas City Ski Club, David Schimanski’s family moved from Decatur, Illinois to North Kansas City in 1945. He graduated from North Kansas City High in 1957 and lived in the Kansas City area for the rest of his life, moving only to go to college and serve in the U. S. Army.

When born, a nurse walked into the hospital room where David’s mother and aunt were sitting with the new baby. She said, “Oh, what a corky looking baby,” and family members knew him as Corky from then on.

Dave’s passions included his German heritage; career in data processing; church; canoeing; camping; the snow skiing and racing, office work, and charitable events he participated in as a member of the Kansas City Ski Club; volunteering with the Special Athletes for the John L. Cassidy Special Olympics Heartland Winter Games; and his family.

He was a member of the Germania Club of Kansas City for over 42 years. His father, aunts, and uncles were of German heritage but, as he put it, his mother was not German – “she was a home-grown Missourian.” He enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany, serving for 27 months in the Army Security Agency. When asked what he did in that position, he said that the work was similar to that currently done by the National Security Agency but, even after all these years, he was not at liberty to discuss specifics.

David went to Rolla for college for two years and then left to raise money for his final two years. He got a job in the new field of computer data processing, left for the Army, and returned to the same job after his Honorable Discharge. Rather than going back to college he continued in the data processing field for various companies, including TWA, Delta Airlines, and Northwest Airlines to operate a Global Distribution System for travel agencies worldwide, “the best reservation system in the world.”

Prior to his passing, David was the last living Charter Member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Kansas City, which was founded in 1959. As a child he won the Gloria Patri Award, which he likened to the Boy Scouts’ God and Country Award. When able, he attended church regularly on Saturday evenings. One of his cherished sayings was “Fear not tomorrow…God is already there.”

David was a member of the Kansas City Ski Club continuously from 1974. He skied, raced, and volunteered in the Club’s office, was Program Chair, and active in the Community Projects Committee (when it was known as Special Projects). As a member of Special Projects, he especially enjoyed his work in Christmas in October, rehabilitating houses for low-income Kansas City residents. He worked in the heat of summer helping inspect and select which houses would be rehabbed the upcoming October.

David received the nickname “Crash” from Tom Hall, who later became Ski Club president, because when learning to race head-to-head, Dave would often veer into his competitor’s course, causing both of them to fall. Luckily for both he and his buddies, his racing improved. His recreational skiing ranged over the whole mountain: beginner, intermediate, and expert (black diamond) runs. His favorite mountain? Crested Butte, Colorado, where he loved to stay at the Nordic Inn, which was then owned by Allen Cox, who became a good personal friend.

He stressed that some of the best friends in his life were from the Kansas City Ski Club. He and another friend held a popular “Summer Solstice” party for many years which is still talked about for the great barbeque, beer, and conversation. He dated a number of KCSC women and said that he has fond memories of each of them.

The activity which most profoundly impacted Dave’s life was volunteering more than 30 years for the Special Olympics Heartland Winter Games. He helped organize the Athlete training sessions for Alpine skiing, keeping track of the Special Athletes’ ability levels as well as the equipment and sizes needed for Cross-country Skiiing, Snowshoeing, and later, ski helmets. Before developing knee problems, he worked on the snow as an Alpine Training Coach.

He worked with a female Athlete who went on to compete in the International Games. She was having trouble keeping her hands in front of her while skiing, and she also happened to love Western movies, so he encouraged her to keep her hands out front “like a sheriff with his guns pointed toward the bad guys rather than like the bad guys with their hands in the air.” It worked.

Another Special Athlete dragged his leg when walking, but this did not occur on the slopes; instead, he won silver and gold medals. This Athlete rarely spoke but, after receiving a medal, he turned to Dave and said, “Thank you for helping me,” which meant the world to Dave.

Working with Special Athletes made Dave aware of the challenges faced by others and realize that you should not be too quick to judge or assume that what you see is always true – you do not know what a person’s story might be. He respected the Special Athletes and was impressed by their determination and mastery of skills.

David’s parents, Henry and Mary Schimanski, preceded him in death. He leaves a host of wonderful Schimanski cousins who cherished him deeply:  Joan Wyant, Jackie and Dan Bullard, and Jodi Eris Eridanus from Illinois; Doug Rozzell and Dana Rozzell from Florida; Dave Rozzell from Wisconsin; Paul Schimanski from Iowa; and Julie Smith from Tennessee.

It is hoped that David will be reunited in heaven with family and friends who have gone before. If there is ski racing though, watch out, “Crash” has arrived…

David’s family and close friends extend their deepest gratitude to the many staff members of Kansas City North Hospital and North Care Hospice House for the respect, kindness, and care they surrounded David with during his passing.

A memorial service will be held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 5409 NW 72nd St., Kansas City, MO, on Friday, October 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will occur at a later time, beside his parents at East Slope Cemetery, Riverside, MO.

In lieu of flowers, David wished that those who would like to make a memorial contribution do so to Special Olympics-Kansas, 5280 Foxridge Drive, Mission, KS 66202.