David A. Tannenbaum, 78

March 25, 2025

David Alan Tannenbaum passed away on March 25, 2025, in Lancaster, PA, surrounded by his loving family. He was 78 years old.

Born to Harry and Jean Tannenbaum née Belfor, David grew up in the Mayfair neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia and attended Temple University, becoming in 1968 the first in his family to graduate from college. He earned a master’s degree from Villanova University and did doctoral work in educational administration at Widener University. His career in education took him from Ambler Junior High School and Wissahickon High School, where he taught history and was elected president of the Wissahickon Educators Association, to the Southeast Delco School District where he served as Vice Principal and oversaw the opening of Academy Park High School. He spent his remaining career as an administrator in the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, and at Sterling High School in Somerdale, New Jersey. After retirement he returned to teaching, happily working as a substitute before his illness made it impossible.

That illness was Posterior Cortical Atrophy, a rare form of dementia about which little is known, and more research is desperately needed. During his decline, David worked hard to remain the person his family had always known and loved: kind, generous, curious, and patient.

Since childhood, David sought out the life of the mind. He loved German opera and nineteenth century American history. Raised in a secular Jewish household, he converted to Catholicism shortly before his sixtieth birthday. He taught RCIA classes for years, embracing his new faith with determination and optimism.

David is survived by his wife Ellen Tannenbaum of Lancaster; his sister Elyse Tannenbaum of Bensalem; his daughter Lisa Affuso and son-in-law John Affuso of Lancaster; his son Joel Tannenbaum and daughter-in-law Heidi Saman of Philadelphia; his four grandchildren: John and Michael Affuso of Lancaster, and Remy and Rio Tannenbaum of Philadelphia; and last but not least, Tillie, the standard poodle rescued through Adopt-a-Pet who brought him a great deal of comfort in the final chapter of his life.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 601 E. Delp Road, Lancaster, PA 17601, with The Rev. Norbert Suresh as Celebrant, preceded by visitation from 10 to 11 AM. To view the Mass on Live Stream, please visit the church webiste at sjnlancaster.org/live-stream The link will be open about 15 minutes before the start of Mass.

Inurnment will be in Landis Valley Mennonite Cemetery, Lancaster, PA 17601.

Please omit flowers and consider a contribution in David’s memory to Caring Hospice of Central Pennsylvania, 101 Good Drive, 1st Floor, Lancaster, PA 17603.