David Lynn Sackman

David L. Sackman, APR of Bradenton, Florida passed away on July 2, 2025 at the age of 87. Born July 1, 1938 in Jacksonville, Illinois, David was the son of Robert and Eleanor Sackman. David graduated from Dondero High School in Royal Oak, Michigan and from Michigan State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications. He later attended Boston College’s Center for Corporate Community Relations and the University of Georgia’s Public Relations Institute.

David married Suzanne Lederer on June 25, 1966 in Royal Oak, Michigan, and they had three daughters. They celebrated their fifty-ninth wedding anniversary last month.

David had a 40-year career with Consumer’s Energy working in Royal Oak, Mi, Pontiac, Mi, Lansing, Mi and Jackson, Mi. He served in numerous public relations capacities over those 40 years, retiring in 1996 as the Public Affairs Director. Upon retirement from Consumers, David served as Vice President of Lezotte Miller Public Relations and then took a position at Lansing Community College as the college’s Executive Liaison, responding to community requests in the areas of business collaboration, economic and workforce development. In addition, he served as adjunct faculty at Michigan State University, sharing his knowledge by teaching public relations classes in the evenings.

David also sat on numerous boards and committees including Capital Area United Way, Impression 5 Science Center, Capital Area Michigan Works!, the Regional Economic Development Team and the Ingham Regional Healthcare Foundation. He was also the youngest President of the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce and a leader of the Royal Oak Inter-Club Council.

David was an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and a past-president of PRSA’s Central Michigan Chapter. In 1989, he earned their highest honor, Distinguished Public Relations Practitioner for the mid-Michigan area. He also earned two PACE Crystal awards for a major safety campaign and for an employee communications program.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Sackman and Eleanor Sackman-Krienke as well as his youngest daughter, Karyn Miller. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne Sackman of Bradenton, FL, daughter’s Stacy Adado (Mason, MI) and Amy (Ron) Koller (Estero, FL). Also surviving David, is son-in-law, Luke Miller (Grand Haven, MI). David’s pride and joy were his six grandchildren; Lily, Matthew, Alex, Emily, Max and Sam who also survive him.

A celebration of David’s life will take place at a later date at Tara Golf & Country Club in Bradenton. Those wishing to make a donation in David’s honor can donate to either Breakthrough T1D, P.O. Box 5042, Hagerstown, MD 21741or Breakthrought1d. org (to honor his grandson) or the American Cancer Society.