David J Reuben

Born September 22, 1944 in Akron, OH to Albert G. and Sara I. Reuben, David was raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, After high school he moved to the East coast. David graduated Summa Cum Laude from Yale University in 1966. He studied law at Harvard Law School and earned his MS in Computer Science at Johns Hopkins University in 1970.
In 1982, he invented a series of bond calculators and founded Decision Programming Corporation to produce, market, and distribute the new "state-of-the-industry" product line. Each device conferred a competitive advantage to stockbrokers, bond traders, et. al. which in turn yielded remarkable, organic sales growth. They were soon in use at most financial institutions nationwide including the largest firms on Wall Street and later in Tokyo and the financial centers of Europe.
Always acutely aware of the immense suffering of animals everywhere – in factory farms, laboratories, entertainment, the fashion industry, to wildlife, and from simple neglect, David next focused on philanthropy advancing animal protection.
He was a founding high donor for nonprofits which later became large, then global, and often transformative regarding the welfare of animals. He was also the primary supporter and champion for promising start-up nonprofits that he mentored and guided, many of which have become well-established organizations that continue to have notable and lasting successes for animals. Several leaders of the animal protection movement worldwide are in roles which David shaped and encourage. Additionally, he conceived, initiated, and for decades supported the David Reuben Clerkships program for young lawyers pursuing the new field of animal law. (aldf.org/article/david-reuben-clerkships)
David produced an award-winning documentary film exposing the gross exploitation of elephants in Thailand. He also supported the publication of several books on animal-related subjects. David was extremely generous on a smaller scale: with street people, with stray animals, and with like-minded friends on several continents.
David passed away on November 30, 2023. He is survived by a powerful army of dedicated animal advocates across the U.S., in Europe, and in Asia whose work David encouraged and supported throughout the years. He is also survived by countless animals on multiple continents whose lives were improved or saved because of David. A private memorial service will be held at a date to be determined.
Ave atque vale
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to PETA (headlines.peta.org/donate/) or Feeding the Pets of the Homeless (petsofthehomeless.org/?form=donate2023)