David Sepler died peacefully at his home in Bellingham on September 7. He was 88 years old.
David was born in 1929 to Bess and Mack Sepler and survived the loss of his beloved brother Sandy in 2005. David leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Renee, his loving children, Rick and Fran and their partners, Mary Sepler and Joe Nierenberg, as well as the grandchildren who he treasured dearly; Robbie and Kenzie Sepler, Mallory Sepler-King and Emily Grinberg (and her partner Maksim.)
David was, and perhaps should always be remembered as a New Yorker who appreciated a great bagel and for 50 years never skipped the New York Times Sunday puzzle. He was born and bred in Brooklyn and raised his family on Long Island. He drove into “the city” each day to run his business, Damsel Manufacturing, a clothing company he ran with his brother. They were a dynamic partnership that stocked the shelves of Montgomery Ward, Sears Roebuck and other retailers of their time.
As a young man, David was a three-sport athlete who could play on any court or field. As he grew up, he could call any game, predict any play, and give anyone the lowdown on what the coach should have done. He was one of the first people to integrate troops during the Korean conflict, because he was needed for a military baseball team.
David loved travel, and he and his family travelled to Europe, the Caribbean and elsewhere for adventure. He became a horse racing aficionado in his mid-life and he enjoyed success as an owner of several horses. His summers in Saratoga, NY became a touchpoint for his grandchildren, all of whom remember the horses, the fun and the excitement.
After retirement, Renee and David chose to join Rick and Mary in Port Townsend as the place to build the later chapter of their life. They joined the community with gusto, and David began to volunteer as the manager of the gift shop at Fort Worden. He brought his business acumen and his drive to the Friends of Fort Worden, who learned how a high intensity businessman from the east coast might shake things up.
David spent his last days in Bellingham after once again following Rick and Mary as they progressed in their careers. He was a reluctant subscriber to old age. In his last days, every grandchild and child was able to see David and tell him how much he, as a patriarch, has shaped the family and how beloved he was.
A memorial service will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers or other memorials, donations to the ACLU would be welcomed.
