David Nesbitt

If you are someone who knew Dave, chances are he taught, mentored, or coached you (or one or more of your kids). He probably pushed you and motivated you to be your best. He entertained you with stories of his adventures and impressed you with his worldliness. He supported you and taught you something remarkable about yourself. He made you smile.

Dave was born in 1941 in Harlem, New York City and his family, including younger brother John, later moved to nearby Queens. He graduated from Flushing High School in 1959 (All City in football and basketball) and later attended Morgan State University, where he continued to play both football and basketball and founded Groove Phi Groove, which has become one of the most prestigious black fraternities in America.

He entered the Peace Corps in 1965 and built a YMCA in Venezuela where he and his fellow volunteers introduced the love of sports to young people. He would later use his new Spanish skills to connect with countless Spanish-speaking students, players, and others.

After the Peace Corps, Dave received his MFA degree in City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania, where he also coached freshman football. He became a Director of Model Cities, a government program that focused on affordable housing, training, and community organizing. This launched his career in real estate development, working with government and private entities and eventually bringing him to The Rouse Company.

During his time in Philadelphia, he met the love of his life, Laura, to whom he was happily married for nearly 55 years. His role within The Rouse Company led them to move to Columbia, Maryland where, as an interracial couple, they found inclusion and support and used it to build an influential community and culture that they remain an integral part of today. Up until the time of his passing, he was actively engaged as a paraeducator at Wilde Lake High School.

After welcoming sons Marc and Matt, Dave found what would become a lifetime passion: coaching soccer. Over the years, he would coach at many levels, from youth to college, for both boys and girls. His coaching style was no-nonsense yet supportive. And he got results, winning multiple state championships for Wilde Lake High School (including, most recently, in 2019) and national championships for both men’s and women’s club teams. Both the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association pronounced him Girls’ Coach of the Year in 1997. He went on to be inducted into the Wilde Lake High School Hall of Fame. Soccer was pure joy to Dave, and he left a lasting impact on players, parents, and supporters, some of whom would go on to become coaches themselves.

An avid golfer, Dave enjoyed not only playing with friends – especially the legendary “Guido Group” – but also passing along his knowledge and love of the game to others. He was a director of The First Tee program in the mid-2000s and, just days before his passing, was helping his oldest grandson and friends master their grip.

Dave’s love for his three grandsons (who affectionally refer to him as “Bear,” a nickname Dave received from the Guido Group years before) was immeasurable. He coached the two older boys at both the club and high school level. The youngest, a rising high school freshman, just missed the privilege of having him as a formal coach, but, like the others, has received informal coaching after every game Dave attended.

On July 19, 2023, Dave was in his favorite chair at home, taking in a soccer game on TV when he unexpectedly but peacefully passed away. The family was almost immediately enveloped in the warm support of other family members, friends, community members and acquaintances. They are extremely grateful for the outpouring of love they have received.

Dave is survived by his loving wife Laura, sons Marc (Erin) and Matt (Nikki), grandsons Liam, Shea, and Finn, brother John, many cousins, and innumerable friends. His legacy will be honored at a Celebration of Life at the Oakland Mills Interfaith Center - The Meeting House, on Sunday, July 30, 2023 at 2:30pm. Dress however you like, but Dave would have loved to see you in your favorite golf shirt or soccer jersey.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Wilde Lake High School Boosters Club, which will continue Dave’s legacy for years to come. The link for donations is below.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.witzkefuneralhomes.com for the Nesbitt family.