David Eugene Hart was born in 1938, New Philadelphia, Ohio. He was the youngest of four, two brothers and a sister. His father, Daniel, was a dentist and a farmer. His mother, Ova, was a home manager and gardener. During the lean times of the depression and WWII, Daniel would trade dental work for produce and chickens.

Dave joined the United States Navy in the late 1950s serving in southeast Asia. Discharged in 1962, he lived in Florida, Cape Cod, Aspen and Lake Tahoe, honing his skills as a builder and sarcastic hermit. He enjoyed visiting his extended family and was the favorite uncle to many nieces and nephews.

In the 1970s Dave moved to Fairfield, Iowa to pursue studies at Maharishi International University. He also continued his career as a carpentry contractor on many projects around Fairfield. In the 1980s, Dave was able to make significant contributions to the construction of the wooden meditation dome on the MIU campus. He bought a house on a wooded lot on the edge of town which became a sanctuary for a variety of wildlife. It brought him joy to hear the hooting of owls, the singing of the coyotes, and the gobbling and clucking of turkeys.

Dave had a large circle of friends and a small circle of dogs which enriched his life. Six months ago, in declining health and mobility, Dave made the choice to go into hospice care. He passed away in Ottumwa, Iowa on June 5, 2026 at the age of 87. Dave greatly appreciated his staff at Good Samaritan Hospice Care, and his many visitors, both human and dogs.