David Mendelsohn

1931 - 2023

David Mendelsohn
December 14, 1931 - October 21, 2023
David Mendelsohn passed away on October 21, 2023, in Napa, California. He was born in San Francisco to Lillian Zimmerman and Felix Mendelsohn and spent his early life in Fresno. He and his mother moved back to San Francisco, where he attended Lowell High School, class of 1949.
David graduated cum laude from San Francisco State University in 1954 with a B.A. in Broadcasting and Advertising. He was an active member of the ROTC until 1952, serving as an Air Force Reserve Captain until 1969.
David's early career started as Program Director of the JCC of the Peninsula in Palo Alto. In 1957, he began a 15-year career at Bank of America as a Research Analyst, assisting in the development and launch of BankAmericard, the forerunner of VISA. He progressed to Vice President in the Bank's National Division. Recruited by World Airways in 1972, David served for five years as Vice President-SFO, then Director. In 1975, he helped with relief efforts to airlift children from Vietnam at the end of the war.
Turning from the corporate environment to entrepreneurship, David founded Telecheck Golden Gate in 1978. He then spent three years at U.S. Rail Services as President, after which he accepted the position of Managing Director and Executive V.P. of BASS Tickets, where David worked closely with Bill Graham on many large events. He assisted in negotiating the company's sale to Advantix. In 1997 he retired to Napa, Ca.
During his retirement, David was an active member of Congregation Beth Shalom and a counselor for SCORE, offering free business mentoring to Veterans and others. He was a board member of the historic Uptown Theatre Napa Valley and a member of AIPAC (American Israel Political Action Committee), for which he was a leader in their Bay Area activities. In 1988, he volunteered for the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces. David loved boating, and was a member of the Napa Valley Yacht Club and the Sea Scouts.
David met the love of his life, Donna Dover-Lowitz, in the late 1970's. They married in 1980 and enjoyed 43 fabulous years together, visiting seven continents and making a difference wherever they could.
David is survived by his wife Donna Mendelsohn, son Howard Mendelsohn (Kate), daughter Debi Mendelsohn, granddaughter Alissa Holmberg, and great grand-daughters Addison and Lilliana Holmberg, stepdaughters Robin Lowitz (Ned Hoffman), Lezli Lowitz-Barranco (Ovidio), and Leza Lowitz (Shogo Oketani), step grandchildren Shaviv Hoffman-Lowitz, Skyler Stanford, and Yuto Oketani, as well as many cousins and a large community of friends.
The family would like to express appreciation to Carmen, Rafael, Albert, Sarah, and Minerva among others at Nazareth Classic Care, as well as his special trainer and friend, Autry Morris, and the Healing Threshold Singers.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be contributed to Congregation Beth Shalom of Napa, the Alzheimer's Association, and the Jewish Community Free Clinic of Santa Rosa.
A private family service will occur at the Hills of Eternity Memorial Park in Colma City. Shiva and a memorial service will be held later at Congregation Beth Shalom.