David K Rockefeller

David Kenneth Rockefeller of Watertown, NY passed peacefully the morning of Saturday, August 9th, 2025 at his home with his wife and children by his side.

Dave is survived by his wife Donna, his sons Daniel (Katelyn) Rockefeller and Andrew (Caitlyn) Rockefeller and his daughter Katherine Rockefeller. He is also survived by his brothers Dan (Debbie) and Ed, many sisters and brothers-in-law, and a large extended family.

Dave is preceded in death by his older brother Lynn, his sisters-in-law Debbie and Vicki, his parents Asahel and Rosemary Rockefeller, his beloved niece Bridget McElroy, and his loyal companions Guinness, Spritney, Schooner, and Ziggy.

David was born in Phelps, NY on August 5th,1952. He graduated from Phelps High School in 1970 and went on to study Natural Resource Conservation at Community College of the Finger Lakes where he discovered a passion for environmental law and wilderness conservation. In 1977, David earned his Bachelor of Science in Recreation Education at SUNY Cortland where he fell madly in love with Donna Jean Thannhauser over a pile of rocks and minerals. During his time in Cortland, Dave ran an environmental education program for Cortland-Madison BOCES. He also worked as Camp Director of Camp Owahta in McGraw, where he pursued his passion for teaching children about the environment.

Dave and Donna then moved to Asheville, North Carolina together in 1981 where Dave worked for Buncombe County Parks and Recreation. There, Dave spent every moment he could hiking hundreds, maybe thousands, of miles with his friends in the Smoky Mountains. In 1983, they moved to Bryan-College Station, Texas where Dave attended graduate school at Texas A&M to pursue a Masters degree in Environmental Resource Management. Upon graduation, Dave worked for the Army Corps of Engineers in Fort Worth until eventually moving back to the Northeast where he began a long career at Fort Drum as a Computer Analyst.

Dave was an avid outdoorsman and lifelong runner, biker, and cross country skier, competing in countless canoe races, 5ks, 10ks, marathons, and triathlons. Dave was also a motorcycle enthusiast and attended many rallies across the country. Dave found joy in canoeing and exploring the waterways of Ontario and the Adirondacks, often bringing his family along on hiking and camping adventures. Through these trips, some fondly dubbed “Camp Uncle Dave”, he shared his love of nature with his sons, daughter, and many nieces and nephews, teaching them how to track moose, name different plants and bugs, press wildflowers, map the constellations in the sky, and identify all the different bird calls. Dave enjoyed volunteering in the community, serving as President of the Watertown Figure Skating Club for several years and helping work the Irish festival and Shamrock Runs.

Dave loved many things. Among those things were authentic Tex Mex, college football, Monty Python and blueberry pie. He loved filling the bird feeders in the front yard, cross country skiing with friends, and putting Tabasco sauce on every food imaginable. From bread baking to beer brewing, Dave had a quiet, contemplative life, never missing an opportunity to enjoy a pint of Guinness extra stout alone in a quiet moment or with friends and family.

Dave will always be remembered for being a devoted husband, a wonderful father, and a loyal friend. He approached life with kindness and humility, sharing his quiet wisdom and deep appreciation for the natural world with all who knew him. He inspired his family and friends to look at the world closely and patiently, teaching them how to interact with the environment with curiosity and respect.

Flowers may be sent to Summerville Funeral Home at 1997 Harwood Dr, Sandy Creek, NY 13145.

Donations in David’s name can also be made to the National Resources Defense Council at nrdc.org/donate or the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org/donate.

Calling hours will be held Saturday, August 16th from 3-7pm at Summerville Funeral Home in Sandy Creek. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date.

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