Lasting Memories

David Charles Duisenberg
Dec. 2, 1944-Dec. 26, 2025
Chico, California

David Charles Duisenberg, 81, passed away peacefully at home in Chico on December 26, 2025 after a long journey with Parkinson’s disease. Born December 2, 1944 in San Francisco, he grew up in Palo Alto where he participated in Boy Scouts and became an Eagle Scout which defined his helpful character throughout his life. He spent many summers of his adolescence on his cousin’s cattle ranch in southern Oregon and developed skills as a ranch hand that influenced his career and interests. After high school David received his Bachelor of Science from Sacramento State and later an MBA from the University of Oregon. An avid skier, he was on National Ski Patrol at Alpine Meadows for several years during college. He worked in real estate development for over a decade before founding Duisenberg Construction in 1983 in Palo Alto. While he loved his business of remodeling and building homes, he loved even more his family and serving his community. In his first marriage to Jeanne Longinotti he had sons Erik, Tobin and Brandon. He would later marry Trudy Fay Penkala and become stepfather to Garth Penkala and Hope Penkala Shapiro. The five children grew up together creating a vibrant family dynamic in a remodeled home that David designed and built. David served as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 57 for six years during his sons participation and with his range of outdoorsman skills he created many lasting memories for a generation of young men. Additionally, David was a certified Mediator and served on the Palo Alto Neighborhood Mediation Task Force. In 1993 David and Trudy moved to Chico, purchasing an old almond farm south of town with beautiful views of the valley and bird life beneath the great western migration flyway where David relished living in the countryside and working in his wood shop. While he did some remodeling business in the Chico area, he would go on to be a building inspector for the City of Red Bluff, and also volunteered construction advice for the Unitarian Church in Chico and the Chico Friends Church. In retirement, David and Trudy did volunteer work in the establishment of the Museum of Northern California Art and David also served on the board of the Community Action Agency in Chico. In 2020, David and Trudy moved into Chico and appreciate the community of their helpful neighbors and the friendships made among their Buddhist study group. Known for his gentle spirit and kindness, when winter rains came, David carried packs of rain ponchos in his truck to hand out to the homeless. David loved problem solving, be it for a construction project, repairing equipment, or mediating community disputes, he was always striving to be of service to others. David is survived by his wife Trudy, children Erik (Devon), Tobin, Brandon (Karen), Garth, Hope (Marc), grandchildren Georgia, Shane, Asa Duisenberg, Mia and Adi Shapiro and his surviving siblings Sally Jean Duisenberg Thompson, Katherine, Brian, Kevin and James Duisenberg. David was predeceased by his older brother Peter, and parents Charles and Jean Duisenberg. The family requests that donations be made in David’s memory to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. A celebration of life will be held for David in early spring.