David Filker

Family-Placed Death Notice

DAVID FILKER 83 died on Friday, December 26th. David was the Director of Social Services for the Baltimore, Maryland Housing Authority when he was recruited by HUD to organize and integrate the Southeast Region of the department. He was a Regional Consultant for the U.S. Dept. of HUD from 1968 to 1989. A planning innovator, he was committed to the War on Poverty, Civil Rights and social justice. From Tennessee to Mississippi, Georgia and Florda, David Filker led the drive for HUD integration. Expert at merging HUD programs with those of the Dept. of Health and Human Services, he led voter registration drives and created 300 plus daycare centers in the deep south. David Filker trained a generation of government officials and local directors of public housing, which will benefit the region for years to come. An infantry lieutenant during World War II, he was in the North African and Italian Campaigns. In Italy, he received a battlefield bravery commendation and promotion for finding a lost patrol behind enemy lines. He received two Bronze Stars for bravery as well. Enlisting in January 1942, when he was a physical education major and star football player at Panzer College, he changed career directions after the war. David majored in Social Science at New York University receiving his Bachelors and Masters degrees. He remained an ardent football fan all of his life. David Filker was a committed father and husband. He leaves his wife of 56 years, Selma Ring Filker, three children, Dr. Rochelle F. Andreotti, Dr. Phyllis J. Filker, and son, Geoffrey, six grandchildren and two sisters, Elsie F. Albertine and Estelle F. Greenberg. An extremely handsome man with a keen sense of the ridiculous and a sharp intellect, he will be sorely missed. Graveside services will be held today, December 28, 2003 at 3:00 p.m. at Arlington Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements by Dressler's Jewish Funeral Care of Eternal Light, 3734 Chamblee-Dunwoody Rd., Atlanta, GA. 30341. 770-451-4999.