David A Griesbaum '69 Endowed Fund

Establishment of the “David A. Griesbaum ’69 Endowment Fund” for the support of Alpha Kappa Psi internships

Mark Griesbaum’77 has established an endowment fund in memory of his brother David

Griesbaum’69, past president of Alpha Kappa Psi Delta Nu Chapter. This fund will

support one annual award of $2,000 to an Alpha Kappa Psi student meeting the

endowment’s criteria for selection. Mark was inspired by an article in the UD Magazine

that described a new Memorial Fund set up to honor past brothers of Alpha Kappa Psi and

support student internships. He reached out to the university to find a personal way to

honor his brother, while also supporting the Alpha Kappa Psi internship effort, that Dave

would have advocated. Mark’s desire was to help round out his entire philanthropic efforts

for the university. Mark was a Finance major and attributes his career successes to the

education he received at UD. Mark decided on an endowment fund in Dave’s memory that

will endure for many years to come. This endowment is in recognition of Alpha Kappa Psi

and the entire Business School, which means a tremendous amount to Mark, and to the

whole Griesbaum family.

David A. Griesbaum ‘69 written by Mark H. Griesbaum ‘77

UD Life:

Dave spent his childhood growing up in a suburb of Chicago (Elmhurst). He was

involved in High School as President of the Teen Club and Student Council along with other

activities. He chose to attend the University of Dayton in the Business School and major in

General Business Management. Dave loved the university, but he mostly loved being part of the

Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity. He always spoke about the great group of guys he met and had

strong friendships within the fraternity. He and his “brothers” and other friends would travel to

Chicago and stay at Dave’s parent’s home to attend the UD basketball games against DePaul,

Loyola and Marquette. His mother always enjoyed having the “boys” visit and stay the

weekends during the games.

As with high school, Dave became very involved at Dayton. He loved the Business School and

was certain that he’d follow in his father’s footsteps and join Sears Roebuck & Company some

day after college. He loved being a leader. In 1969 he was chosen to become the President of

the Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity at UD. During Dave’s tenure, the fraternity was actively involved

in the business school and in campus-wide activities. He had a very close relationship with the

Dean at that time, Bill Hoben, who was very supportive of the fraternity and the brothers.

His work ethic was observed by a former brother, Bill Reilly, who said “It’s hard to think of our

days at UD without remembering Dave’s enthusiasm for every project and activity which he

undertook (sometimes a little too enthusiastic, like when he broke his shoulder playing “touch”

football). They are good memories, and he will be missed.” Bill Reilly and Dave were very close

friends during those years. Bill passed away in 2020.

Dave was the type of person who loved to have fun with a great sense of humor. As a young

child he learned how to talk like Donald Duck, which he continued imitating throughout his life

to bring laughter to any situation. This earned him the nickname of “Duck.”

Dave was also part of the Council of Business Students in 1969 and named one of the

university’s Top Twenty Students. Dave graduated in April 1969 and began his career in June

at Sears Roebuck & Company.

Career Life:

Dave entered the Sears Management Training Program in Troy Michigan, and

after 3 months was assigned to the Sears Store in Flint Michigan. He loved his job, and he loved

life in Flint serving as a Department Manager across the areas of the store. He was always

excited to tell his family about everything entailing his life and especially talking with his father

about his progress at Sears. In 1973, Dave was transferred to the Corporate Headquarters in

Chicago and began his next assignment in the Electronics Department. Dave progressed through

several departments and positions ultimately becoming the Director of Marketing in the Home

Life division of Sears in the mid-1990’s till 2000 after 30 years with Sears. Dave then left Sears

and became a Business Manager at LG Electronics Inc. focused on the Sears Home Appliances

business. Dave retired from LG in 2009 after a very successful business career.

Unfortunately, shortly after his retirement, Dave was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and

later with PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy), Dave passed away in March 2015. He has left

his legacy with his three daughters and two grandchildren who will never forget his unending

love for them. His love for UD and Alpha Kappa Psi will live forever through this endowment

that is established in his name. The criteria for the recipients will be a brother in good standing

in Alpha Kappa Psi, preferably a Finance Major and involved in the Marianist Ministry at UD.

The Catholic faith and values were extremely important to Dave and to the entire Griesbaum

family, who want to see those same values present in the recipients of this endowment.

WE are very excited to announce that our fall 2022 pledge class will be named in rememberance for david a griesbaum