David Reiser

Biography

David Emerson Reiser, M.D

David Emerson Reiser was born October 21, 1925 in Salt Lake City to A. Hamer and Elizabeth Baxter Reiser. As their third child with five more to come, he felt particularly wanted and as nieces and nephews proliferated in the extended family, he started a “third born” club. David breathed his last breath, lying in his bed, held by loved ones on the afternoon of Monday, August 12, 2013, not too long after his last conversation.

David’s achievements in his early life were many. He was the neighborhood Pied Piper, the editor of the East High newspaper, a friend to everyone; he learned to play the accordion, piano and organ. Midway through his university years, he was excited about joining the Navy so he could see the world. On occasion he played the organ for Sunday services, and as only David could, he transformed “I am a Utah Man” into a Sunday hymn for patients at Samson Naval Hospital.
Returning after the war, David completed college, his medical school years and residency at the University of Utah. His thought about becoming a pediatrician turned into a wish to become an adult and child psychiatrist. In 1949 he married Willa Rae Seely in the Salt Lake Temple. Though they later divorced, both cherished their two dear children, David Seely and Rosalyn Emily. David moved his young family to Boston where he pursued child psychiatry and psychoanalytic training through the Boston Institute and then became the director of the J.J. Putnam Children’s Center, our country’s first child guidance center for infants and preschoolers.

In 1969, in Pittsburgh, PA., David married Nancy Rodman who also worked at the Putnam Center. In 1970, The Community Mental Health Act had just passed. David was longing to be close to his expanding extended family, so he and Nancy moved to Salt Lake where they accepted an offer to join Granite Mental Health Center. Among his many duties, he initiated and guided a Mental Health Well Child program for infants and toddlers. In 1981, he began a private practice of adult psychiatry, though he often collaborated with Nancy working with young children and families. It was a most felicitous situation, working in one half of a duplex and living in the other which he called his “Libra house.” David’s last day in his office was six days before he died which is another way to express how much he loved his work. Their home was the focus for festivals of homemade film, floats down Emigration Creek and family gatherings. He remained a Pied Piper; he loved everybody, his welcome was constant and assured. David cherished life, his family full of exquisite and diverse people, his work, and his friendships, some as old as 83 years, some as new as two weeks. He could watch butterflies playing in trees for hours just as he took in every bit of life with joy, he dismissed nothing, valued every one and thing just as they were.

David is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy, his dear children, David of Cambridge, Massachusetts and Rosalyn of Waltham, Massachusetts. His siblings are Dr. Richard E. (Fran) Reiser, Marilyn R. Crawford, Barbara R. Call , Elaine R. Alder (Douglas) and Carolyn R. Smith and devoted brothers-in law Hugh Rodman, Will (Pam) Rodman, and sisters-in-law Jennifer R. Purdom (Philip) and Betty Jo Reiser. He was predeceased by brother A. Hamer Reiser, Jr., sister Elizabeth (Bette) Hunt and wife Willa Rae S. Reiser. A host of beloved nieces and nephews cherished his presence.

A time of visitation with David’s family will be held Tuesday, August 20, 2013, 7-8 PM at Wasatch Presbyterian Church, 1736 South 1700 East. A Memorial Service will be held at noon on Wednesday, August 21, 2013. Funeral Directors, Russon Brothers, Online guestbook at www.russonmortuary.com.