DAVID H. CHARNEY

David H. Charney of Crestwood, New York died December l2, 2006 at the age of 83. David Charney was a true renaissance man, emphasizing the physical, spiritual, creative aspects of his life. He worked as a creative art director in a number of Madison Avenue advertising agencies. He was a gymnast, a ranking table tennis champion, a 7th Dan black belt in Tae Kwan Do Karate. In l972 he won the men's senior division championship. Dave Charney was also an author, having great success with his Sensei, novels of medieval Japan, and a non-fiction title, Magic, the Great Illusions, plus a plethora of short stories. As a professional Flamenco guitarist, he placed 4th in a concurso in Cordoba, Spain, appeared as soloist and accompanist with a variety of Flamenco groups in the United States and Spain, and was recorded on an LP, The Sound of Flamenco. At F.I.T. he was an instructor in the Art and Advertising Department, working with senior students on their art and copy. In his retirement, Mr. Charney turned his attention to Community Theater, worked as an actor. Mr. Charney was graduated from George Washington High School in New York in l939. He was a founding member of a noted science fiction club, which started the careers of many notable writers, including Isaac Asimov. He earned his B.A. degree from Cooper Union. Mr. Charney served in World War II as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, flying B 29's over the Pacific. David Charney will be remembered for his great passion for life. He was a raconteur who loved good jokes, tall tails and singing. He was an avid crossword puzzle fan who rarely failed to complete the New York Times puzzles. He is survived by his wife, Louise Charney of Crestwood, N.Y., his daughter, Esther Tscholkowsky, nine great-grand children, five grand children of Jerusalem, Israel his sons, Steve of Woodstock, NY, and Ken of Beacon, NY. There will be a memorial gathering from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, December l8, at the Fred H. McGrath Funeral Home, 20 Cedar Street, Bronxville, New York. Reminiscences at 6 PM.