David J. Piel

David J. Piel, 80, a Carson City resident for the past 13 years, died May 6, 2004, at his home after a brief illness. He was born to William F. and Loretto Scott and grew up in New York City and Salisbury, Conn.

He attended Taft School in Watertown, Conn., and entered Yale University in 1942, served in the military and returned to graduate in 1947.

After graduation, he moved to New York City and worked in advertising and television including producing "story films" for the Captain Kangaroo show. He worked briefly for Reno radio station KOLO, moved to New York City, Vermont and San Francisco, where he acted in television and radio commercials.

He exhibited his watercolor paintings at the Brewery Arts Center, was a founding member of the Great Basin Players and was historian, newsletter editor and publisher and helped coordinate the Toys for Tots program for the Marine Corps League.

He was a founding board member of Carson Advocates for Cancer Care and organized such fund-raising events as Winter Wine & All That Jazz and Day in a Dungeon. He was recognized by the Carson City Chamber of Commerce for his work. As Board Liaison for Legislative Affairs for Nevada Advocates for Health Care, he successfully lobbied the state legislature to ensure that tobacco settlement funds were distributed to community groups providing direct patient services.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corps 5th Battalion, First Marine Division in the Pacific Theater including Okinawa and after Japan's surrender, in Peking.

Among his survivors are his wife Dee and other family members including John and Paula Rudolph, also of Carson City.

No service will be held.

Memorial contributions may be made to Carson Advocates for Cancer Care or the Brewery Arts Center.