David Louis Reif worked in the early aircraft industry in Cincinnati, Ohio.
In the historic mural he is shown on the left as a test engineer for the Aeronautical Corporation of America (Aeronca) in 1931. He later worked for Continental Motors Company as an aircraft engineer. He used aircraft engines (Fiat. Hispano-Suiza, and Liberty) in the hydroplane boats he built and raced on the Ohio River. The cruiser he built for his family had twin Allison aircraft engines. His work with aircraft took him as far from Cincinnati as Los Angeles and Cuba. During World War II he was given a production medal by the Greater Cincinnati Contractors. He also worked with Powell Crosley on the development of the Crosley Corporation's compact car.