David John Zaumeyer passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2026, following a courageous seven-week effort to recover from a series of strokes. A devoted husband, father and friend, David was defined by optimism, humor, intellect, and entrepreneurship. He leaves behind a legacy of professional distinction, an extraordinary network of friends, and a family who adored him.
David was born on September 6, 1945, in Rochester, NY, the only child of John Lewis Zaumeyer and Kathleen O’Callahan, who raised him with the support of his aunt, Maureen O’Callahan. At age eight, David was stricken with polio and spent a year in a hospital, ultimately regaining mobility with the exception of his left arm. Despite these challenges, he grew into a happy and active adolescent with many friends, a lifelong love of cars, and a passion for tennis.
A true academic, David graduated from McQuaid Jesuit High School in Rochester and attended Fordham University, earning a degree in Economics. At Fordham, he played four years of Division I tennis and was elected student body president. He went on to earn an MBA from NYU, a CPA, and a Ph.D. in Education & Business from Columbia University.
David’s professional life blended academia and entrepreneurship. He began his career as a management consultant at what is now Deloitte & Touche, working in New York and San Francisco. While in San Francisco, an old friend from New York — Mary Rowan McDermott (“Merry”) — serendipitously moved in next door. She became the love of his life, wife, best friend, and lifelong partner.
David and Merry returned to Staten Island, New York, where David was warmly embraced by Merry’s large McDermott/Clancey clan – relationships he cherished deeply throughout his life. He and Merry established their home and raised their three children within a community of friends and loved ones that would define their family life for decades. During this time, David pursued his Ph.D. and began his academic career. David taught at Wagner College and St. John’s University and ultimately went on to enjoy a 25-year tenure at Rutgers University.
In addition to academia, David pursued multiple entrepreneurial ventures. David founded and sold several economic consulting practices and served as a Partner at several Accounting and Consulting firms, including BDO Seidman, JH Cohn, and Marks Paneth. Following a brief retirement in 2010, David launched Forensic Economist Group, which he led until his final days. David took great pride in this final venture and in the firm’s high-caliber team, who continue the business today.
Outside of work, David was deeply engaged in family, sports, and community life. He coached Little League sports, volunteered extensively, and served on many boards for schools, clubs, and charitable organizations in Staten Island and Naples, FL. At the time of his passing, he was serving on the board of Help for Haiti.
In his forties, David developed a passion for golf — often joking that some people consider it a “two-handed sport.” He spent countless hours golfing with Merry and his sons and was a longtime member of Richmond County Country Club, Palo Alto Hills Golf Club, and Windstar on Naples Bay. David was a competitive and fun-loving golfer and built many of his lasting friendships on the course. He traveled extensively to golf throughout the U.S. and abroad and competed multiple times in the International One-Armed Golfers Association Championship in the UK.
David and Merry shared a love of travel, exploring much of the United States and the world together — often with family and friends — and spent extensive time in California. David enjoyed meals with family and friends, a cold gin martini, and a nice glass of wine. David loved making jokes and would use his sense of humor to put others at ease, including during the very last days of his life. He was generous, kind, warm, and curious, and provided counsel to friends, family, and clients for decades. David cherished time at home with Merry and family, hosting countless dinners, holidays, and celebrations. Their home was always welcoming — full of laughter, warmth, and loved ones.
Above all, family was the centerpiece of David’s life, providing him with a profound sense of pride and his greatest source of joy. He and Merry supported their children through every stage of life and remained closely involved no matter the distance. The loss of their daughter, Laura, in 2014 was a profound heartbreak they carried together, yet the role of grandparents to five grandchildren filled them with great joy, laughter, and love. As a grandfather, David was a uniquely beloved playmate to the young grandchildren and a source of unconditional love and fun as they grew. Beyond his immediate family, David found great joy in his extended family of McDermott sisters, brothers-in-law, Clancey cousins, and many nieces and nephews, who held a special place in his heart.
David is survived by his wife, Merry; sons Brian and James; daughters-in-law Amanda and Megan; and grandchildren Charlotte, Matthew, Annie, Zoey, and JB. He was predeceased by his daughter, Laura.
David was born on September 6, 1945, in Rochester, NY, the only child of John Lewis Zaumeyer and Kathleen O’Callahan, who raised him with the support of his aunt, Maureen O’Callahan. At age eight, David was stricken with polio and spent a year in a hospital, ultimately regaining mobility with the exception of his left arm. Despite these challenges, he grew into a happy and active adolescent with many friends, a lifelong love of cars, and a passion for tennis.
A true academic, David graduated from McQuaid Jesuit High School in Rochester and attended Fordham University, earning a degree in Economics. At Fordham, he played four years of Division I tennis and was elected student body president. He went on to earn an MBA from NYU, a CPA, and a Ph.D. in Education & Business from Columbia University.
David’s professional life blended academia and entrepreneurship. He began his career as a management consultant at what is now Deloitte & Touche, working in New York and San Francisco. While in San Francisco, an old friend from New York — Mary Rowan McDermott (“Merry”) — serendipitously moved in next door. She became the love of his life, wife, best friend, and lifelong partner.
David and Merry returned to Staten Island, New York, where David was warmly embraced by Merry’s large McDermott/Clancey clan – relationships he cherished deeply throughout his life. He and Merry established their home and raised their three children within a community of friends and loved ones that would define their family life for decades. During this time, David pursued his Ph.D. and began his academic career. David taught at Wagner College and St. John’s University and ultimately went on to enjoy a 25-year tenure at Rutgers University.
In addition to academia, David pursued multiple entrepreneurial ventures. David founded and sold several economic consulting practices and served as a Partner at several Accounting and Consulting firms, including BDO Seidman, JH Cohn, and Marks Paneth. Following a brief retirement in 2010, David launched Forensic Economist Group, which he led until his final days. David took great pride in this final venture and in the firm’s high-caliber team, who continue the business today.
Outside of work, David was deeply engaged in family, sports, and community life. He coached Little League sports, volunteered extensively, and served on many boards for schools, clubs, and charitable organizations in Staten Island and Naples, FL. At the time of his passing, he was serving on the board of Help for Haiti.
In his forties, David developed a passion for golf — often joking that some people consider it a “two-handed sport.” He spent countless hours golfing with Merry and his sons and was a longtime member of Richmond County Country Club, Palo Alto Hills Golf Club, and Windstar on Naples Bay. David was a competitive and fun-loving golfer and built many of his lasting friendships on the course. He traveled extensively to golf throughout the U.S. and abroad and competed multiple times in the International One-Armed Golfers Association Championship in the UK.
David and Merry shared a love of travel, exploring much of the United States and the world together — often with family and friends — and spent extensive time in California. David enjoyed meals with family and friends, a cold gin martini, and a nice glass of wine. David loved making jokes and would use his sense of humor to put others at ease, including during the very last days of his life. He was generous, kind, warm, and curious, and provided counsel to friends, family, and clients for decades. David cherished time at home with Merry and family, hosting countless dinners, holidays, and celebrations. Their home was always welcoming — full of laughter, warmth, and loved ones.
Above all, family was the centerpiece of David’s life, providing him with a profound sense of pride and his greatest source of joy. He and Merry supported their children through every stage of life and remained closely involved no matter the distance. The loss of their daughter, Laura, in 2014 was a profound heartbreak they carried together, yet the role of grandparents to five grandchildren filled them with great joy, laughter, and love. As a grandfather, David was a uniquely beloved playmate to the young grandchildren and a source of unconditional love and fun as they grew. Beyond his immediate family, David found great joy in his extended family of McDermott sisters, brothers-in-law, Clancey cousins, and many nieces and nephews, who held a special place in his heart.
David is survived by his wife, Merry; sons Brian and James; daughters-in-law Amanda and Megan; and grandchildren Charlotte, Matthew, Annie, Zoey, and JB. He was predeceased by his daughter, Laura.
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