David Band Jr.

David was born on May 24, 1945 in New Orleans and attended Isidore Newman School before earning degrees from the University of Virginia and Tulane University Law School. He proudly served his country in the Army Reserve as part of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps and as a Public Affairs Officer, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

David relished a challenge and never backed down. He loved spirited debate, sharp conversation, and standing his ground. Those who knew him recognized both his resilience and his refusal to quit. More than once, he seemed to cheat death, earning a reputation for having far more than nine lives. Even in his final days, he fought with extraordinary determination.

Above all, David loved his home on Walnut Street and leaves behind a tradition of dog treats on a table in Audubon Park. He was an avid sailor, triker, hasher, and skier.

He took great pride in his family, especially in seeing the Newman School tradition continue into a fifth generation, in watching his grandchildren play sports, and in getting a vicarious thrill from their skiing in Steamboat Springs, the site of countless family vacations.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ilonka van der Meulen Band of the Netherlands; his daughter, Alexandra Hiller Band; his son, David Hunter Band III and daughter-in-law Sashi Weiss Band; and his grandchildren—Mason Hunter Douglas and Reese Holland Douglas of Denver, and Weiss Alexander Band and Evelyn Rae Band of New Orleans.

Visitation will be held at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home in Metairie, LA from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Sunday, May 24, what would have been his 81st birthday. Interment with military honors will follow at Gates of Prayer Cemetery in New Orleans, LA.