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.