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David Jaffe Obituary
Mr. Jaffe was born in Great Neck, NY, and always loved the water. After a year at the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY, he graduated from Clarkson College (now University) in Potsdam, NY and later received a master's degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. After a few years in Hartford, CT, he came to work at the Atomic Energy Commission. When he came for his interview from a very cold Connecticut, the cherry blossoms were out, and he thought, "This is the place for me" – even though he considered Maryland the Deep South. On his first day of work in June, it was 90 degrees.
He left the AEC to work for NUS Corp. for five years and returned to the newly formed Nuclear Regulatory Commission. He had a distinguished career there before retiring 10 years ago. He was a devoted student of the Torah and Talmud with a few close friends. He was also a longtime member of the Potomac Boat Club, where his family will host a celebration of his life in January.
Mr. Jaffe is survived by his daughter Danielle Barger; granddaughter Lisa Jaffe, grandson Dylan Barger, granddaughter Hannah Barger; and partner Joan Mooney.
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Memories and Condolences
for David Jaffe
4 Entries
Bill Lanouette
March 1, 2025
Dave was a spirited member of the Sunday Morning Four at Potomac Boat Club and a talented oarsman.
Dave was also an honest and dedicated nuclear regulator respected by peers and admired by friends.
Ramachandran Subbaratnam
January 25, 2025
I remember David from NUS and subsequently from Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Always full of smile, enthusiasm and kindred spirit with a characteristic loud and thunderous laughter. How can you ever forget him ?
Malcolm Patterson
January 23, 2025
I knew David Jaffe as a tireless worker with a sharp sense of humor. We met for the first time in 1981, when we were on opposite sides of the table but nevertheless enjoyed working with one another for several years. When I first applied to work at the NRC, he supported my application and shepherded me through the process. Decades later, when we worked in the same office, he was still helpful, friendly, and professional-though he was never one to use digital technology when he could still do the job with paper and a telephone. As others have attested, he was a good man. Though I don´t share his faith, I was never more honored than when he invited me to join his minyan.
Bob Weisman
January 23, 2025
I worked closely with Dave on several projects at the NRC, particularly during the last few years of his career. While he was a superlative project manager--and that doesn't mean we agreed on everything at work--I found that he was a superlative person and we became close friends, partially through our mutual friendship with another former NRC colleague, Ann Hodgdon, a"h. I am very, very sorry that he passed away. I do not recall meeting Joan, Danielle, or his grandchildren, but he spoke of you often and in glowing terms. Ha'makom y'nachame es'chem b'soch sh'or ah'vailai tzion v'Yershalayim--may the Omnipresent console you among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
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