David Spencer Van Pelt

He is survived by his wife, the love of his life, Betsy, and his children, Spencer and his wife, Veronica; Katie Stein and her husband, Nick; his three grandchildren, Lucy, Oliver and Charles; and his sister, Lin Hubeny and her husband, Jerry. David and Betsy would have celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary this month.

David was born the son of Charles and Marion Van Pelt on May 31, 1941 and grew up in Tenafly, NJ. He graduated in 1963 with a BSBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was awarded an MBA from New York University in 1971.

David served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy from 1963 to 1967. He then joined Citibank N.A., where he worked for over thirty years as an international banker and a member of the Policy Committee. David retired from the bank in 1998 as an Executive Vice President. He subsequently served on the boards of several non-publicly traded companies, including as Chief Executive Officer of the European clearing house, Cedel.

David served for over twenty years on the Board of the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. During this time he helped establish a global study program. David was the first recipient of the school’s Global Leadership Award; and, in 2006, he endowed the Distinguished Professorship of Marketing Chair.

David also gave his time to organizations in his communities, including serving on the Boards of East Harlem Tutorial Program and Prep for Prep, in New York City, and the Environmental Learning Center, in Vero Beach. He established the K.E.D.S Foundation, with a focus on improving educational opportunities, and was involved in the creation of a charter school, The East Harlem Scholars Academy.

David had a life-long interest in the arts. Even these past few weeks he was enjoying the opera and philharmonic with his wife. He loved to travel, was fond of good food and wine, and was a voracious reader. He was a longtime fan of North Carolina basketball, the New York Giants and the New York Mets.

He was a gentleman, a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was an inspiration and guide to many in his personal and professional life, and will be remembered as a man of intelligence, wisdom and integrity.

A Memorial Visitation will be held on Friday, November 13th at 5pm with a Memorial Service to follow at Frank E. Campbell 81st Street and Madison Avenue. Donations in his memory may be made to East Harlem Tutorial Program, 2050 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10029.