Obituary of David Kummer

David Marshall Kummer, beloved brother of Mary E. Kummer and
Phillip M. Kummer, passed away recently at age 74. He passed
peacefully at his condo in Inwood, New York City. Dave’s home
has a great view of the Henry Hudson Bridge that he was very
proud of reminding everyone who came to visit him.
Dave graduated from Hendrick Hudson High School in 1967 and
Colgate University in 1971. He was an outstanding debater at
both institutions mainly because he practiced his skills
extensively with his father, Joe Kummer, during the 1960’s, the
Viet Nam war era. He served in the Peace Corp during his 30’s
and was stationed in the Philippines which he came to love.
While in the Philippines he researched deforestation and later
wrote a ground breaking book, Deforestation In The Postwar
Philippines.
Pursuing his desire for a life in academia, Dave earned a Ph.D in
Geography from Boston University in 1990 and served in
numerous academic positions before joining Westchester
Community College as a Professor of Geography and
Economics. He retired from that position in 2016.
Dave moved to New York City in the 1990’s much to the
puzzlement of family and friends. He loved hanging out in his his
condo, walking in the neighborhood, visiting friends and eating
out . He read the New York Times every day and was very
involved in current events and issues. Don’t get us started about
his thoughts concerning the current political situation.
We have many fond memories of growing up with Dave just
outside of Peekskill, NY. We swam in the bacteria infested lake
just down the road from us, we built a unique kayak and paddled
in said lake and we spent many days hiking in the woods in the
neighborhood. We shared many adventures. Dave had a robust
and authentic laugh that we shared many times over the years.
We will miss that the most.
Dave will be remembered as a kind soul who served his
community, was generous to friends and a loving although
challenging brother. We miss him deeply as we know others will
too.
Dave was predeceased by his parents, Betty and Joe Kummer.
He is survived by Mary and Phil Kummer, brother-in-law Art Ward
and nephews, Evan and Colin Ward. Remembrances can be
made to the America Red Cross.

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