Dr. E. David Appelbaum

Rochester – On July 26, 2024, at age 86. He is predeceased by his parents, Lester and Kathryn Appelbaum; sister, Margery Blum; brother-in-law, Israel Blum. David is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Barbara; children, Daniel (Karin Bensinger) Appelbaum, Deborah (Edward Mitre) Appelbaum and Laura (Arthur Gunther) Appelbaum; grandchildren, Nathan, Noa, Tess and Mabel Appelbaum, Talia, Mira and Jonah Mitre, Samuel and Beatrice Gunther; sister, Brenda (Jerome) Deener; many adoring nieces, nephews and cousins.

A proud Rochestarian, David graduated from Monroe High in 1955. He went on to receive a BA in English from the University of Rochester, followed by a DMD in Dentistry from Tufts University, and a Certificate of Periodontics from NYU. David proudly volunteered in the Navy as a dental officer for Marine operations in Japan and Vietnam from 1962-63 and achieved the rank of Captain. He established a thriving periodontal practice in Brighton where he compassionately served the Rochester community for over five decades. David cared deeply about education and in his role of professor at the Eastman Dental Center at the U of R, he was an integral part of training generations of periodontists.

In addition to the mark he made in dentistry, David was hugely committed and impactful to the Rochester community in many other spheres. He served on boards and philanthropically supported local institutions such as Temple Beth El, Temple Beth Shalom, the Jewish Federation, Alpha Omega dental fraternity, the Rochester Philharmonic and Youth Orchestras, and the Canandaigua Lake Pure Water Association, to name a few. He was enormously proud of his wife Barbara and her important work in Holocaust education. He established the Barbara G. Appelbaum Holocaust Education Award through Nazareth University to sponsor students to attend “The March: Bearing Witness to Hope” in Germany and Poland. David deeply loved his community and his family and found joy and fulfillment in so many other areas including music, Judaism, sailing, and good, thought-provoking conversation. He played clarinet in the Brighton Symphony and was particularly known for his impromptu, humorous songs. And as “Captain Dave,” he delighted in sharing his passion and knowledge of the sea with everyone he knew aboard his beloved “Bobby Lee” on Canandaigua Lake.

David’s funeral service will be held Monday, July 29, 2024, 1:00 PM at Temple Beth El (in the sanctuary), 139 Winton Rd, Rochester, NY 14610. CLICK HERE for the livestream link. Interment to follow at Britton Road Cemetery. The family will sit shiva at 20 Tobey Brook, Pittsford, New York 14534, Monday from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Tuesday and Wednesday from 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM.Donations can be made in David’s memory to the Appelbaum Holocaust Education Awards at CHAI of the Jewish Community Federation and at Nazareth University for The March: Bearing Witness to Hope or the Jewish Home Foundation or Temple Beth El.