David James Rossman

David James Rossman, 85, died Sunday, February 18, 2024 at his home on Mullett Lake in Indian River, Michigan, with family at his side. 

Born in Northville, Dave attended Battle Creek High School, and later graduated from General Motors Institute (GMI), which now is Kettering University.

Dave worked for General Motors for 44 years, spending most of his career in the Cadillac division. His work on the Cadillac team was instrumental in creating the 1992 Seville STS which won Automobile magazine “Automobile of the year”, Car and Driver “Ten Best” and Motor Trend “Car of the Year”.

An avid sportsman, Dave raced Mini Coopers, skied, sailed and rode motorcycles. As a Mini Cooper racer, he competed at Waterford Hills, Mid-Ohio, Watkins Glen, and Road America, winning enough to briefly consider a career as a professional driver. 

Dave was a member of the National Ski Patrol and spent decades patrolling slopes in Michigan, mostly at Mt. Brighton, Pine Knob, and Boyne Highlands. He also was a talented ski instructor who improved the skills of other patrollers, the skiing public and Boy Scouts.

Even as his work for Cadillac required him to travel across the United States, to South and Central America, Europe and Asia, Dave’s best days were always with family and friends in Northern Michigan.

Dave was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years Judy Fullenwider Rossman, daughter Diane Lynn Rossman,  and his parents James and Pauline Rossman.  He is survived by his brother, Gary Rossman, his daughter Debby Rossman Retzer, his partner Carol Navarre, and two grandchildren.

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