David Schellenberg

David Laurence Schellenberg, 64, of Philadelphia, PA passed away June 3, 2021, at his home in Philadelphia.

David was born September 7, 1956, in Greenfield, Iowa, one of four children born to Raymond Curtis and Janice (Taylor) Schellenberg. He grew up on the family farm near Anita, Iowa, and attended Anita public schools. In high school he distinguished himself in speech and debate. He graduated from Anita High School with the class of 1974.

David earned a degree in French Language and Civilization in 1976 from the Sorbonne (University of Paris IV) in France. In 1978, David was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree from Central University of Iowa, with a double major in Philosophy and French, minors in Classical Greek, Teaching English as a Second Language, and additional concentrations in Russian and Hebrew.

His passion for languages earned him an appointment from the French Ministry of Education as a Language Assistant in a French Technical Secondary School in Champagne-sûr-Seine outside of Paris.

David lived and worked several years in Des Moines, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA before establishing a fulfilling life in Philadelphia, PA.

David Schellenberg was founder, President and CEO of LinguiSearch, a qualitative market research consultancy serving the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, both domestically and internationally, utilizing linguistic analytic techniques.

An ardent supporter of a variety of civic, charitable, and arts organizations in the Philadelphia region, David received the Community Philanthropist award from the Greater Philadelphia Professional Association in 2007. David was a long-standing and beloved executive board member for the Pennsylvania Ballet, having served as the Chair of both the Governance and Marketing Committees. Most recently he was Board Secretary. David was also a champion supporter of the ballet - he knew every dancer’s name, and brought numerous friends and colleagues to experience the performances of the world-class performing arts company that he adored. David’s ethics and moral compass was and will remain the beacon for his Pennsylvania Ballet family. He will be deeply missed.

David greatly enjoyed traveling, music and the arts, and spending time with his family of friends in Philadelphia; yet could also be content at home reading a book and enjoying the companionship of his pets.

David is survived by his father, Ray Schellenberg of Anita, IA; two sisters, Susan Schellenberg of Cedar Rapids, IA and Sandra Schrieber of Emmetsburg, IA; one brother, Lyle Schellenberg of Cedar Rapids, IA; two nephews, one niece, two great-nephews and one great-niece.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Janice Schellenberg, and his brother-in-law, Jerry Schrieber.

Any gifts in honor of David, kindly send to: The David L. Schellenberg New Building Fund at the PA Ballet, 323 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

A visitation with family will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., with a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at the United Congregational Church of Christ in Anita, Iowa.

Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Anita, Iowa.

Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Anita, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.