Colonel David Michael Glogowski (USAF, ret.), 65, passed away on April 15, 2026, after an unexpected cardiac event. He was born in Plattsburgh, New York to the late Richard (USAF, ret. Col.) and Donna Lee (Mauk) Glogowski on January 26, 1961. Richard, raised by a Polish family in Chicago, was a pilot in the United States Air Force so Dave moved around throughout his childhood living and attending schools in Charleston, SC, Bellville, IL, and Mackenbach, Germany. David graduated from Kaiserslautern American High School located near Ramstein Air Force Base in 1979. While at “K-town” he ran cross-country and enjoyed German cultural experiences (and beverages).

Dave studied Mathematics and Computer Science at University of Illinois in Urbana-Champagne where he met his bride, Jeanne (Mueth). At the end of May 1983, Dave graduated from U of I, married Jeanne, and was commissioned into the Air Force all in the same week. Dave later earned his Masters in Systems Management from the University of Southern California in 1990.

Dave and Jeanne began their married life at Scott AFB in Illinois before moving to Lowell, MA in 1986 to serve an Education with Industry assignment. In 1987, he began work with AF Space Command at Peterson, AFB where he was recognized as the Air Force Space Command Information Resource Manager of the Year in 1990. While in Colorado Springs, Dave and Jeanne brought Anastasia Marie and Kristen Noel into the world. Dave then spent one year serving at Kunsan Air Base in Korea before moving the family to Guam where he led the restoration of all command and control systems on Guam following five typhoons while assigned to the 644th Combat Communications Squadron during the fall of 1992. The Glogowskis returned to Colorado where from 1994-1997 Dave functioned as the Operations Officer of the US Space Command Operations Center. Dave and Jeanne welcomed their third daughter, Megan Elizabeth, to the family in 1996.

In 1997 Dave became Commander of 621st Air Mobility Operations Squadron at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. There he took on the challenging role of Chief Airlift Combat Operations until 2000. Dave then transitioned to Commander of the 789th Communications Squadron at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. While in this role Dave directed the flawless transition of an upgrade of the Global High Frequency system that provided the core of national leader command and control during the 11 September 2001 attacks. He also led the unit to garner two consecutive Major General McClelland Awards for best maintenance organizations. From 2002-2005 Dave worked as Deputy Chief of the C4ISR Ground Integration Division at the Headquarters Air Staff for the Pentagon in Washington D.C. There he was a recognized expert on coalition and multi-level security capabilities and policy. He was singularly responsible for eliminating pivotal allied objections to Operation Iraqi Freedom air operations through extensive coordination with CIA, NSA, and Joint Staff which ultimately led to the Presidential directive granting coalition partners secure network access.

Dave and his family then moved to Stuttgart, Germany where Dave served as Director of Communications and Chief Information Officer (J-6) for Special Operations Command Europe from 2005-2009. At Patch Barracks, Dave led military, civilian, and contract personnel responsible for planning and delivering robust communications and information capabilities for all United States special operations forces in Europe and Africa.

Dave retired from active duty in July 2009 as a Colonel and transitioned to contract work in Tampa, Florida. His strengths as a visionary leader and strategist lead him to work on many contracts alongside respected long-time friends and colleagues for Merlin, Xator, SAIC, and GDIT.

In Tampa in 2010, Dave settled into a less transient life and enjoyed his retirement home in the Fishhawk community. Dave proudly supported the Tampa Bay Rays and had eagerly anticipated the reopening of Tropicana Field this season. He also loved all things soccer, cheering for the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Team USA, who he planned to root for, but did not expect many victories from in the 2026 World Cup. Dave loved the arts as well as sports. He loved to attend Broadway productions at the Straz with Jeanne where they were season ticket holders, his favorite show being Dear Evan Hansen. He was also an active participant and served as the Vice President of the Florida Genealogical Society, completing research, maintaining its website, and hosting virtual symposiums. Dave enjoyed cooking at home, especially soups often using recipes passed down from family. One of his most beloved traditions was making what he called “Easter soup,” a Polish soup we ate on Christmas Eve made with hard-boiled eggs, horseradish, kielbasa, and ham. He also taught his daughters to make pierogi from scratch. He delighted in his grandchildren who called him “Papa” and loved his knowledge of hobbits, Star Wars, soccer, and of course his Donald Duck voice.

Despite his illustrious military career, Dave was also a man of whimsy. He adventured to many of the castles of Europe. He savored hiking in the Colorado mountains in October when the aspen leaves turned yellow. He loved fantasy fiction, especially Tolkien. He also enjoyed a good Hallmark movie and a musical. He spent weekly time working on a novel and journaling, always honing his writing. He cared deeply about his military community and the impact of heavy burdens and his novel centered on a veteran struggling with mental health. Dave dreamed of traveling with nothing but a backpack in search of great views and a strong cup of coffee.

Dave is survived by his wife, Jeanne; three daughters, Anastasia Carraway (Dayne), Kristen Glogowski (Ryan), and Megan Glogowski; and four grandchildren, Cole, Chase, Camilla, and Maya.

Dave was a parishioner at St. Stephens Catholic Church since 2010 and would be deeply grateful for any support provided to Jeanne by the parish community.

A viewing will take place at Serenity Meadows Funeral Home, 6919 Providence Rd, Riverview, FL, 33578, on Sunday, April 26 from 2-5pm. The family will receive condolences at Four Green Fields on the Riverwalk in Tampa on Sunday, April 26 at 5:30.

A funeral mass will take place on Monday, April 27 at St. Stephens Catholic Church, 10118 Saint Stephen Circle, Riverview, FL at 11am. Burial to follow at Florida National Cemetery at Bushnell circa 1:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the National Veterans Foundation or The American Heart Association.