David William Weiss

Dave was born and grew up in Albany, New York. He graduated from Albany High and frequently sang the school song. He was raised by Samuel and Edith Weiss, and had one sister, Dorothy. He was the only man among his nine first cousins.

Dave was predeceased by his wife Constance. He is survived by their three children: Neil, Stefanie (Frank Gallagher) and Julie (John Shibley); and his grandson Jordan Silverman (Kathryn).

Dave was always proud that he went to MIT, class of 1952, where he was a member of AEPi fraternity. He loved college, where he studied mechanical engineering and rowed on the crew. After college, he served in the U.S. Army for two years.

An engineer through and through, Dave believed that every problem could be solved with good thinking and elbow grease. He loved nothing more than working on (under) the old station wagon on weekends. Dave worked for General Electric, contributing to the Apollo program’s first safety studies and to a more reliable cruise missile. He spent much of his career at Booz, Allen, a consulting firm. Over the years, he mastered many types of engineering, rounding out his career by helping to establish and manage the reliability engineering program at the University of Maryland.

Dave was an active member of Temple Emanuel in Kensington, where he celebrated his Bar Mitzvah in his late 60s. He served as president of the congregation, made life-long friends, and found a sense of peace there.

Dave was also a songman. He loved show tunes and was known to break out in song just because it’s always a good time to sing. Among his favorites were “Bonnie Jean” (Brigadoon), “Ten Minutes Ago” (Cinderella) and his kids’ forever favorite “I Talk to the Trees” (Paint Your Wagon). When Dave retired in 1998, he pursued music with the same zeal he had for his career. He explained that if he was going to make it to Broadway, he had to get cracking.

Dave had roles in numerous productions of the Fun and Fancy troupe at Leisure World. It was there that he met Elaine O’Leary, whom he loved dearly.

For 20 years, Dave volunteered in elementary and middle schools, helping with science instruction, judging science fairs, reading to and talking with the students, showing the kids his wave tank and the X-ray of his hip replacement, and endearing himself to teachers.

In 2024, Dave moved to Kensington Park Senior Living where he was much loved. His family is extremely grateful to the wonderful staff there who brought him joy in his final chapter.

If you wish to honor Dave’s memory, please consider a donation to Temple Emanuel or to a nonprofit of your choice.