David Friedlander

David Friedlander A beloved son, brother, nephew and uncle, Carmel native David Friedlander, 40, passed away Monday in Mill Spring, N.C., where he had been living for the past year. A multi-sport athlete, David died doing one of the things he loved most, playing basketball. The son of the Hon. Ezra Friedlander and Dale Friedlander, and stepson of Linda Friedlander. David had been a co-owner of Penguin Water Systems and Java Express Coffee Co. in Indianapolis. He is remembered as a bright, articulate and gentle young man with a kind heart, compassion for others and passionate dedication to his family. "Whatever David did, he put his whole heart into it," Dale Friedlander said. David was a 1987 graduate of Carmel High School, where he excelled in basketball and soccer. A member of Carmel's 1986 state championship soccer team, David was selected to the Indiana all-state team and went on to play soccer at the University of Wisconsin. Sports always played a big role in David's life. His mother remembers him looking through the newspaper sports section as a preschooler, and he loyally cheered on the Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers and Indiana University basketball. David also was a lifelong learner and voracious reader who could engage in discussions on virtually any topic. "He was always up for a good debate," his father said. "He was so well-read on so many topics." In addition to the University of Wisconsin, David also attended Miami of Ohio University and Boston University. Most important to David was family, and he especially doted on his nieces and nephew. In addition to his parents, surviving David are his sister, Amy Hoffman, of Los Angeles, and half-sister, Devin Hunt, of Atlanta, Ga. Amy and her husband, Todd, are parents to David's nieces, Avery and Sophie; Devin and her husband, Chris, are parents to David's nephew, Elijah. Also surviving is David's grandmother, Natalie Smulyan. He was predeceased by grandparents, Sam Smulyan and Anne and Julius Friedlander and uncle, David R. Friedlander. He also was close to his uncles Jim and Jeff Smulyan, aunt Heather Smulyan, great uncle Harold Stolkin, and cousins Cari, Brad and Samantha Smulyan. "David was the all-American boy," said Jeff Smulyan. "He was absolutely brilliant, a tremendous athlete, devoted to his family, and as kind and likeable as anybody you've ever met. This is just so tragic." Funeral services will be held at Congregation Beth-El Zedeck, 600 W. 70th Street, on Friday, July 24 at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Beth-El North Cemetery. Those wishing to remember David may make memorial contributions to the CooperRiis Scholarship Fund in memory of David Friedlander, 101 Healing Farm Lane, Mill Spring, NC 28756. or at www.Cooperriis.org Contributions also may be made to the David Friedlander Scholarship at Indiana University, I.U. Foundation, Showalter House, P.O. Box 500, Bloomington, IN 47402. Arrangements: Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Mortuary. Online condolences may be sent to www.arnmortuary.com