David Nassau

David Nassau died on Tuesday, December 20, 2011. If you ever got to meet him you were the better for it. He was born 55 years ago with mental retardation and cerebral palsy. His parents Roy and Annette Nassau were advised by doctors to place him in an institution and so they did-the institution of family. He went everywhere and did everything with his Mom, Dad and brothers.

Experts estimated David's IQ at about 70. Able to read a little, write a little, work a little. But David could see what others could not. Fifty years ago, when we used such words, he was asked if a friend of his was "colored". "No," he replied, "he's all black".

When he was watching the RFK funeral, after watching the MLK funeral, and before that, the JFK funeral, 12 year old David asked "do they have one of these every year?"

What David Nassau was best at was love. He loved everyone unconditionally and non-judgementally. He made you feel like the king of the world--no matter your place in life.

He loved music. He loved photos. He loved dancing and roast beef and pretzels. And most of all, he loved family and friends. And everyone was his friend. What better legacy than that.

He is survived by his brothers Lee and Roy, sisters-in-law Diane and Cheryl, nephews Steven, Spencer and Tanner, niece Jessica, cousins Amy, Judy and Sunny, his extended family at Elm Street and the care givers and love givers of Keystone Services. And the rest of the world's almost seven billion souls who could surely use a few more like David Nassau. We spent your lifetime trying to make you act like the rest of us. Thankfully you never changed.

A memorial service will be scheduled in the spring.

Donations may be made in David's name to the Association of Retarded Citizens of Dauphin County.