David Herbert Stiegler

David Herbert Stiegler was born January 26, 1942 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to the great delight of his parents and three teenaged sisters. From the beginning he was dearly loved and cherished, evoking much pride and joy. He showed an early interest in both art and music, and never lacked encouragement and support for whatever he did.

As a toddler he lived in Minneapolis for a couple of years, then around 1949 his family moved to Rogers, Arkansas due to his father being transferred there with Munsingwear. Thus most of his childhood and youth were lived here in Rogers.

After losing his three sisters to marriage and, at 10 years old, his dear mother to an early death, he and his father managed to make it through some dicult years together. After high school David attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and graduated with a degree in Art Education. He taught at Rogers High School before deciding to embark on a career in art. In 1968, David moved to New York City, where he produced many impressive oil paintings and drawings over the years while working full time at the Manhattan School of Music and other establishments. He was always a very gracious host to any out-of-town family and friends who wanted to visit the big city, taking us on tours of landmarks, including the World Trade Center, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Trump Tower, FAO Schwartz, the Guggenheim museum, decorated store windows at Christmas and a favorite ice cream shop. He also insisted on exposing us to Broadway plays, the Rockettes and other cultural events.

David lived in the same small apartment overlooking the George Washington Bridge and Hudson River for over 30 years. During that time he added an adjacent apartment, expanding his art creation space to accommodate his large oil paintings. When the building was sold in 2000 for renovation, he decided to move back to his childhood hometown of Rogers, where he would be closer to family and high school friends.

In Rogers he continued his prolic artwork, favoring watercolors and pencil drawings. He was a volunteer and member of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, and relished hosting family lunches and dinners at Eleven. He continued his lifelong mission of raising the cultural experience of his loved ones, generously taking us to the symphony, the Metropolitan Opera Live (at the theater), and every special exhibit and event at Crystal Bridges.

Devoted to family connections, David drove to upstate New York every summer to visit his sister Ruthann, brother-in-law Michael Temoshok, and his niece, nephews and grand-nephews in the Temoshok families. This continued a tradition that began with his father when David was young and continued until his sister died in 2012.

For several years, David faithfully volunteered at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Fayetteville, taking the book cart around from room to room to ailing patients. He was very interested in the community, taking a course at the Rogers Police Department and supporting the Rogers Museum and other community institutions.

Mr. Stiegler passed away on November 19, 2024, in Rogers, Arkansas. He was predeceased by his parents, Herbert and Ruth Stiegler; his three sisters, Ruthann, Rosemary and Maryann; and two nephews, Stephen Bryan and Philip A. Ragsdale.

He is survived by eight nieces and nephews: Dr. Lydia Temoshok of Ellicott City, MD, Cindy Shields of Rogers, David Temoshok of Alexandria, VA; Jenny Barrett (Jim) of Coppell, TX; Ruth Adele Gabriel (John) of Rogers; Mike Temoshok (Lisa) of Galway, NY; Robert Ragsdale (Becky) and Scott Bassham of Little Rock, AR.