In Memoriam

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our friend and partner, David N. Zeehandelaar who passed away at age 55, following a five-month struggle with lymphoma. He was a well known expert in aviation law, leading the Firm's aviation practice and handling litigation involving both major airline and commuter airline disasters and accidents involving military aircraft and components. He successfully defended the federal court case against the component manufacturer involved in a multi-fatality disaster involving the military Osprey aircraft.

A key member of Blank Rome's leadership team, David served as chairman of the firm's Billing and Collection committee, member of the compensation committee, and as Practice Group Leader for the Product Liability and Mass Torts practice group. Most recently, David also served as the Administrative Partner for Blank Rome's newly formed Los Angeles office, which he helped grow from a start up to 15 lawyers.

"Dave was a gifted partner, outstanding leader and tremendous friend to all at Blank Rome,” said Alan Hoffman, Co-Chairman of Blank Rome. “His valiant battle with cancer was the only loss I have known him to have. He was respected and sought after by his clients not only for his expertise and counsel as an attorney, but moreover for the character and integrity with which he practiced law. We will miss him dearly."

Zeehandelaar, who also held a commercial pilot’s certificate and instrument rating, served on the Executive Committee of the Philadelphia Mayor’s Airport Advisory Board. He was also a judge pro tempore at the Court of Common Pleas for Philadelphia County.

He was involved with several philanthropic causes, including Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. According to Claire Winick, Mid-Atlantic Region Director for American Associates Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, “Dave’s desire to foster higher education and scientific research and his support of Israel came together in Be’er Sheva at this young, dynamic institution. He served with distinction in several leadership positions, including co-chairman of the Negev Forum and, at the time of his passing, as Philadelphia chapter chair with his wife Mona. Together they were members of the International Society of Founders, recognizing their generous contributions to support many projects at the University, including the Center for Women’s Health, Scholarship Funds and the Fund for Ethiopian students.”

Zeehandelaar was a long-time member of the Main Line Reform Temple, where he chaired the most successful capital campaign in the Temple’s history, raising more than $9 million for needed renovations. He served as President of the Temple, one of the largest reform congregations in the region, and continued as an active member of the Board of Trustees.

David loved to travel mostly by air. He achieved his goal of visiting all 50 states by the time he celebrated his 50th birthday. He also enjoyed cycling in Tuscany, various national parks, and most recently, on a 35-mile autumn bike ride through Bucks County the week before he fell ill.

He received his law degree from Villanova University and his BA from the University of Pennsylvania.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Mona, and his children - Daughter Rachel, and son Daniel, as well as his loving mother Gertrude, a life member of Hadassah and a Holocaust survivor who had lived in Amsterdam, and escaped the Nazis aboard the famed “kinderstransport” that took mostly Jewish children to England from Nazi Germany and other countries before the start of World War II. Dave was predeceased by his father Frederik.

Services were held on Sunday, March 21 at Main Line Reform Temple in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania.

Contributions in his memory can be made to Main Line Reform Temple Capital Campaign, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 261 Old York Road #417A Jenkintown, PA 19046 or to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 555 North Lane Suite #5010, Conshohocken, PA 19428.