David Allen Schuff

SURPRISE – Surprise, AZ October 12, 1930 - August 25, 2023 David Allen Schuff, a wonderful husband, father and friend, passed away suddenly from heart failure on August 25, 2023. He is survived by Nancy, his loving wife of 66 years and their children, Scott and his wife DeAnne, Lisa and her husband Rob, and Wendy and her husband Barry, along with 31 Grandchildren and 31 Great Grandchildren.

Dave was born in Marietta, Ohio and moved to Arizona when he was 16 with his parents. His love for basketball began at Phoenix Union High School where he was one of five All-Star basketball players. He continued playing while attending Phoenix College for two years. Dave received a basketball scholarship to the University of Arizona and made team All-Conference.

Dave enlisted in the Marines and played basketball for 2 years, where he was able to continue playing as a service to our Country.

When his time was completed in the service, he joined his brother, Dick, at Techni-Builders which was the beginning of his love for the steel business. It didn’t take long for Dave to venture out on his own to begin Schuff Steel Company with his son Scott in 1976. It all began in the basement of his home with a piece of plywood over a pool table. Little did he know the company would grow to be the largest steel company in the United States.

His first project was the ASU Football Stadium in 1978. As Schuff Steel grew, Dave’s knowledge in the industry catapulted him to build such jobs as the Bank One Ballpark. Dave brainstormed the lift for the Ballpark and his innovative approach drove the design and construction of the entire stadium. Schuff Steel went on to build the Denver Bronco Stadium, Los Angeles Rams Stadium and the Arizona Cardinals Stadium.

Schuff Steel also put their mark on casinos in Las Vegas such as the Venetian, The Palazzo, MGM Grand, City Center and a replica of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Dave loved the people he worked with and knew most of the steelworkers by name. He enjoyed going out into the shop as often as he could regardless if the weather was hot or cold. He loved passing out turkeys to all the employees at Christmas time and would shake everyone’s hand telling them how much he appreciated all they did for the company.

Dave was a member of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, the AGCA, President of the EAGP, ENR’S Top 25 Newsmaker in 2005 and received a Pioneer Award in 2013.

After Dave retired multiple times, he turned the presidency of Schuff Steel over to his son, Scott, and served as Chairman of the Board for several years. Dave continued to work in his home office. You could see him at his drafting board table looking over drawings. He worked well into his 90’s.

Dave has always had a love for horses owning his first one in Ohio at the age of 16. He was President of the AZ Appaloosa Horse Club, AZ Cutting Horse Association, AZ Horse Exhibitors and was a lifelong member of the AZ State Fair Board and board member of the National Livestock Show. He showed horses for many years and taught not only his two daughters how to ride and compete at the shows, but two of his grandsons as well. They were all very successful and competed at National Horse Shows and loved traveling across the country with him.

Dave took his family on several trips and introduced them to places they had never been before.

Dave will be missed by so many. He was a man of integrity and had an enormous love for his family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11am on Thursday, October 12 at Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85255