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David Rivers Obituary
At a movie party in TriBeCa 18 years ago, Ricky Vider Rivers met her future husband, David, a newcomer to New York by way of Massachusetts. Within three weeks, the two had moved in; they'd been together since.
"He was my soul mate, my best friend, my everything," said Mrs. Rivers, a fashion editor. "And I can't believe we won't see him again."
Mr. Rivers, 40, was editorial director at Risk Waters Group, a financial technology company that was sponsoring a conference at Windows on The World on Sept. 11. After the first plane hit, Mr. Rivers called his wife, who had forgotten that he was in the building. "I'm just hoping he was calm in that storm, standing there on the top of the building," she said.
Last weekend, the family held a memorial service for Mr. Rivers on Martha's Vineyard, a treasured place where he spent summers as a boy and later as a husband and father. "We put a box in the ground with a key to the beach in it," Mrs. Rivers said. "Because that's all we have left."
She continued: "Our son James, who is 5 years old, asks 'Why did Daddy have to be there that day?' And I can't answer him."
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Douglas Hartman
August 28, 2024
David was awesome...
Happy birthday David.
Fernando Fernandez
March 1, 2020
Happy Birthday David
I never met you. I'm visiting NY for the first time and the WTC was a must stop for me. Your name with a rose on it set the tone for day..... a day that was both emotional and beautiful.
To the family of David.... I hope this picture finds you. Please know that he is still in the hearts of visitors of the site who come across his name.
Please reach out if you'd like a clean copy of this picture (fernfern33 @ gmail . Com).
Have a blessed day
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The Kindred Family
November 22, 2018
Sending our deep sympathy to your family for the loss of David. He touched the lives of others and will always be fondly thought of.
September 12, 2016
David - never forgotten x
Jess G
September 11, 2016
You will be remembered.
Emma Chapman
September 12, 2015
Sending all best wishes on this day to you Ricky and James. David was a truly special person and he will never be forgotten. I hope one day to meet you James in person and tell you what a wonderfulDad you had.
Paull Robathan
September 11, 2015
The last time I spoke to David was a week before 9/11 when I told him I was not travelling to NY for the conference. I was due to make an opening presentation and to this day I do not really know why I cancelled........
Joy Hurwitz
September 11, 2014
Thinking of David. Thinking of you Ricky and James. Sending you deep regards.
September 13, 2013
Memories of David never leave me. He is always there - sending blessing to Ricky and James if they get this mail.
Lil Hannapel
September 12, 2013
Although I did not know David, my thoughts and prayers are with your family as you endure the painful loss of your beloved husband, father and friend. May you and his loved ones carry him in your hearts forever. Sending many blessing to your family.
Lil
Spencer Nitchie
September 11, 2011
I spent many decadent days and nights with David and Donald Poole on the VIneyard and will never ever forget David's prescence and personality. He made a very string impression on me even if he never knew that and I think about him all the time. My thoughts go out to Ricky and James. Spencer
Joy Carter
September 11, 2011
Very happy memories at KeyBeachwith David and our families. Always laughing and smiling with a light in those blue eyes. Blessings to all the family and gratitude for heavenly moments at the Vineyard
Lee Allison
September 10, 2011
I miss you David. I'm sorry I overslept and wasn't there with you. I should have been. Especially after you pestered me so much about coming! Thinking about you nagging me makes me smile. The world has been a little less bright without you in it.
November 1, 2010
Dear Ricky
This is emma chapman, Davids old friend from London days. Have been trying to find a way to get hold of you for ages and a friend pointed me towards this site - so maybe this message will reach you
I have never got over the shock of finding out about Davids death and the tragedy and loss stays with me
I am coming to New York this week for the first time in years - arriving Tuesday 2nd and leaving Monday 8th November. Was really hoping if you were in New York that I could meet you and James and say hello. if this is something that you would like to do please contact me
[email protected] or text me on my UK cell 0044 7767406318
If anyone else reads this message and knows how to get hold of Ricky - please pass it on to her
David was a most extraordinary and special human and I send him blessings and he will never be forgotten by me.
Monica Roman Gagnier
September 10, 2008
It's been nearly seven years since David Rivers left this earth. I pray that Ricki and James have been able to find some peace after this irreplaceable loss. I know that David is watching over both of you from a cloud in heaven where he's got an ample selection of the newest hip music and independent films. David was a cool cat!
As much as David loved popular culture, he loved nothing more than his family.
As others have noted in this guest book, David was a light that shone brightly, and those of us who worked with him will never forget his energy. He was a dynamo that fired up his co-workers and friends. He will never be forgotten.
kristine
April 17, 2007
As I stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
P Tabbernor
February 18, 2007
In memory....
Tony StClair
May 12, 2006
Ricky. I met you one time, when Dave invited me over to your apartment for artichoke hearts and ice cream. I was a small-town Oregon boy, and I met Dave at UMass. He was kind, and very funny, and so proud of things in his life, of interviewing George McGovern at school, and Mr. McGovern telling him "You're gonna go places", and of you, and how excited he was to be sharing his life with you. I will always remember the breif walk we took after, with you and Dave holding hands, in your matching outfits of your design, and looking like Yoko and John redux and in love.
Tony
Jean Mahley-Bradford
June 27, 2003
As a teenager I was chosen to spend a summer in conneticut and Martha's Vineyard wth Tom and Barbara and help take care of their two adorable children, David being one. I was absolutely in love with him and still to this day have a great picture of he and his sister.I am so sorry for your loss. Just the short summer I spent with him brougt wonderful lasting memories and I know that your time together will as well. Sincerely, Jean Mahley Bradord
Lee Allison
September 13, 2002
I met David through mutual friends at Waters and we hit it off immediately. Every time he called me looking for information on a story it always turned into a good excuse to get together and gossip and laugh. I thought the world of David. I went to Nepal in October of 2001 and after climbing my first peak in the Himalayas strung a prayer flag and lit incense and said good-bye just as an eagle flew overhead. I miss him terribly. I have so much good gossip for him! I will hold in my heart forever.
cami lien
September 11, 2002
dear Ricky Rivers- At the Mozart Requiem Memorial at the Lensic Theatre in Santa Fe this a.m. we were each given a name of someone lost in the 9-11 tragedy-the paper heart that I wore had the name of your husband on it so I looked him up on the internet when I got home- My home in the summer is on Naushon Island across from Martha's Vineyard where I read that you all used to go together. My thoughts are with you and your young son's on this day and I just wanted you to know that my family and I are thinking of you from across Vineyard Sound and in Santa Fe-with warmest of wishes to you and your family- Cami Lien
jon r
September 10, 2002
Dear Ricky,
You and I worked together at a mutually previous publication, somewhat tangentially, but I look back fondly on our interactions. I especially remember your joy when your son arrived and recall meeting both of you again at a restaurant about two years ago, and marvelling at how much he'd grown!!
I am so awfully sorry for your loss. Have strength.
With warm fondness.
Jon R.
Mary Beth Hardy
May 31, 2002
Dear Ricky,
I worked with David in the early days of Waters. I will always remember him as funny, bright and madly in love with you. He could make me laugh no matter what. When I left Waters, we kept in touch, speaking a couple of times a year. For a time, when he was editing and writing FX Week, my husband Neal Merbaum, was a source for him.
When we heard that Waters was having a conference at the WTC on Sept. 11, we immediately thought of David. We were both so saddened to hear of the loss of such a wonderful, bright, witty, and loving man. May the memories you have of him bring you comfort.
Mary Beth Hardy and Neal Merbaum
Angie Campbell
May 13, 2002
May God Bless you and watch over the family and friends that you left behind that horrible day last September. May you rest in peace forever more.
margaret shirley
April 23, 2002
Dear Ricky, I am Jim Louderback's mother, and I read about David in the NMH magazine. Jim and David were roommates in Overtoun, and I remember meeting David and liking him and being glad he was Jim's friend. I'm sorry for your loss, and I'll keep you and your son in my prayers.
Margaret Shirley
April 9, 2002
DEAR GOD SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON THIS BEAUTIFUL MAN.,..DAVID E.RIVERS AND MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS HIS WIFE AND SON...FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS..STAY CLOSE..PRAY..AND NEVER FORGET 9/11/01...GOD BLESS AMERICA ..NEW YORK AND THE GOOD PEOPLE OF MASSACHUSETTS..MAY JESUS AND THE BIBLICAL DAVID GREET YOU AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN...AMEN
Elizabeth Jacobson
March 11, 2002
I used to work at Poole's Fish Market on Martha's Vineyard with David and just wanted to say that his joy for life and his great sense of humor is something I will always remember about him. We used to laugh a lot over the funny things customers would say, and David's wit was always appreciated by all.
jim louderback
February 6, 2002
My former roommate in high-school, for a time, you were crazy, zany, brilliant and (as mike says) funny. I mourn the times we never had after we went our separate ways, and now never can.
Mike Wise
February 1, 2002
David Rivers,
You were a funny guy back at Mt. Hermon, David. Those teenage years at Overtoun are now even more special to all of us that shared time with you. I pray that your son grows strong and true, as a testimony to the spirit of his father.
Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Matthew Messinger
January 29, 2002
Dear David, just thinking about you today, and feeling incredibly sad for the senseless loss. Wishing love to Ricky and James.
Matt and Miles Messinger
Patrick Connor
January 22, 2002
I only knew David through his work. He was a person who did not let his career interfere with his basic humanity.
Patrick Connor
Maureen Nevin Duffy
January 15, 2002
The loss of David's life will always be for me the very symbol of the insanity of Sept. 11, 2001. Here was a man, my former co-worker, who broke the rule that business reporters had to be mean and underhanded to succeed. The last time we met, at a conference, we spoke wistfully of the elusive world of screen writing, then he brightened as he showed me the picture of his new son and reported that 'the Rickster' was great as always. And that's how you must be, always,
With great affection -
Maureen Nevin Duffy
Elsie Blondet
December 16, 2001
David:
You where my boss, one of my dear bosses. You where kind and understanding..I know first hand how important life was for you, as you lived every day as your last, your love for life, your family and the passion you expressed in everything, will always make me remember how life can sometimes be so unfair as to remove the ones that are living it fully. I know how much you loved your wife, and specially your son..I truly hope they find some comfort knowing you where loved by your peers as you where an example of what we all wated to become.
Elsie
Teresa Jahn
December 14, 2001
We are deeply sorry for your loss of David. May his warm and love live on through all of you. Our hearts cry with you.
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
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