David VanLeuven Taylor

David Van Leuven Taylor, 88, passed away Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at Brookside at Cross Keys Village, Cross Keys, PA. He was born March 16, 1935 in West Chester, PA. He was the son of the late George Hickman Taylor, Jr. and Esther Browne Taylor. He was a graduate of West Chester High School, class of 1952, and went on to further his education at Goldey Beacom College, Wilmington DE; BS in Finance and Economics at Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA; ABA Stonier School of Banking at Rutgers University, Princeton, NJ; and MBA degree at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. David married Dorothy E. Kipp on May 27, 1955, and settled in Swarthmore PA, where they started a family of three daughters; Cynthia, Jennifer and Catherine. David was employed throughout his banking career at Provident Trademens Bank and Trust Company, Provident National Bank, and Girard Bank; all in Philadelphia, PA. He rose through the ranks from teller to Assistant Vice President. In 1977, David accepted a position at Bank Administration Institute in Chicago, IL; and he and Dorothy relocated with two youngest daughters to Park Ridge, IL. During his career at BAI, David frequently traveled throughout the United States and Europe, speaking at banking conferences; including in Vienna, Austria at the World Banking Conference. David was an active member of Swarthmore Presbyterian Church, Swarthmore, PA; serving as Elder, Trustee, Sunday School teacher, and on several Pastoral Nominating Committees. He had a deep and abiding faith that he passed on to his family. Upon retirement, David and Dorothy moved to Westminster, MD; where they purchased a 10 acre wooded property with trout pond. In addition to chopping his own wood for their woodstove and working extensively to renovate and landscape their property, David took up several new hobbies; taking a Master Gardener class; becoming a beekeeper, member of the Beekeepers' Association and successfully harvesting multiple harvests of honey; selling antiques both online and at Westminster Antique Mall, and taking flying lessons. David also was Director of Carroll County Food Sunday. He was an avid reader, nature lover, and loved surf fishing. David especially loved vacationing with his family for 44 years at Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Ocracoke Island. David is survived by Dorothy, his loving and devoted wife of 68 years; his daughters: Cynthia Royer (James), Harrisburg, PA, and Catherine Effland (Charles), Frederick, MD; grandchildren: Sara Royer Matthews, David Royer; Taylor, Amanda and Abigail Effland; and 5 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jennifer Van L. Bezdon, and brothers, George H. Taylor, III and Richard D. Taylor. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service at 11:30 am on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church of West Chester, 130 W. Miner St., West Chester, PA 19382 where the family will receive guests starting at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at Birmingham Lafayette Cemetery, West Chester, PA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions may be made to: Carroll County Food Sunday, 10 Distillery Dr., Westminster, MD 21157 (www.ccfoodsunday.org) or National Audubon Society, 225 Varick St., New York, NY 10014 (www.audubon.org) Condolences may be offered by visiting:www.foundsferyo.com.