Robert David Plank

Robert “David” Plank passed away at Maranatha Village on October 26, 2025, surrounded by his sons. Born in Springfield, MO, January 1 st , 1936, to Leslie and Bessie Plank. David learned to raise cattle and tinker with mechanical things on the family farm. He attended grade school at Mount Pleasant, a one-room schoolhouse, Ozark High School, received B.S. degrees in Physics from Drury College and Civil Engineering from University of Missouri at Rolla (UMR) and an MBA from Drury. Later, Plank was awarded an honorary degree in civil engineering from UMR and the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) awarded him their Fellow Member Distinction. Plank also served in the Missouri National Guard.

David Plank was hired as an engineer in Springfield’s City Utilities (CU) water department. He was promoted to director of engineering services. Under his leadership, the Nuccitelli Pipeline was built connecting Stockton Lake to Fellows Lake to provide water when needed. The pipeline and pump station won numerous awards in the engineering community.

Plank established the CU Central Laboratory, contributed to the construction of the Blackman Water Treatment Plant, the 345,000-volt power lines connected at the Morgan Substation, the 161,000-volt loop around the city and various other projects at the James River and Southwest power stations.

Departments managed by Plank received honors including: the NSPE Professional Development Award; a Certificate of Commendation from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for the utility ash landfill at James River Power Station and the Midwest Regional Award for Dam Safety Programs from the American Society of Dam Safety Officials.

Plank served as president of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers and helped develop the "Call Before You Dig" utility notification program, which predates the Missouri One Call program.

In the 1999 Springfield Business Journal story on his retirement Plank said: "I hope I've made a contribution," he said of his four decades with CU. "It really has been a team effort I've had lots of good people working with me to make these projects happen." David loved to drive and race Porsche’s, work with engines, woodworking, fish and enjoy their cats.

David Plank is preceded in death by his wife Earline Moulder, sister Kathleen, brother Rex and his parents. He is survived by his sons Ralph, daughter in-law Paula Ringer, Mark and Stewart; and loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from Noon-1:00pm Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 at Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home in Springfield with Funeral Services beginning at 1:00pm in the Funeral Home Chapel.  Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens in Springfield, Mo.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the cat shelter, Watching Over Whiskers, watchingoverwhiskers.org