Obituary: David J. Deutchman
David J. Deutchman, loving husband, father and grandfather, died at his Sandy Springs home with his family by his side, Nov. 14, 2020.
David J. Deutchman, loving husband, father and grandfather, died at his Sandy Springs home with his family by his side, Nov. 14, 2020, after recently being diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. He was 86 years old.
David was born in the Bronx, N.Y., Nov. 3, 1934, to Ruth and Herman Deutchman. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955 and was selected for the distinguished Presidential Honor Guard under President Dwight Eisenhower. He was awarded an honorable discharge in 1961.
David soon began what would be a 41-year career with Maidenform Worldwide Inc., ultimately as senior vice president of international sales for his last 10 years with the company.
It was during his retirement that he found a new purpose volunteering at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, mostly in the neonatal intensive care unit. Over the last 14 years he took great pleasure comforting thousands of babies and children he referred to as “my kids,” their families, and often the nurses who cared for them. They called him “Grandpa David” and after a photo of him holding a baby went viral, he became known as the “ICU Grandpa.”
David and Ronnie married in 1962 and lived in Boston, where their two daughters were born, and relocated to Atlanta in 1973. David and Ronnie shared a love of classical music, skiing, hiking and a passion for travel. David was also an avid reader and runner. But perhaps his greatest pleasure came from spending time with his family.
David was predeceased by his brothers Jules and Ronald Deutchman. He is survived by his wife of 58 years Ronnie; his daughters Susan Lilly (James Lilly) of Telluride, Colo., and Jill Deutchman (Eric Naviner) of Atlanta; his grandson Jacob “Eli” Prussack of Telluride; and his granddaughter Ryan Prussack of Atlanta.
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