David Justus, 51 years old, died on March 26th, 2020 after an almost two year battle with glioblastoma.

He is survived by his adoring family, also known as “The Justus League.” This includes his wife, Rachel, who matched his courage and determination in their fight against brain cancer, and his beloved children, Emma, 13, and Oliver, 9, who learned to be resilient and strong beyond their years. 

David and Rachel were partners and soulmates in their nearly 18 years of marriage and they had a true storybook romance. 

David and Rachel went to college together but never dated. They reconnected at a memorial service when a mutual friend died on 9/11. Three weeks and two days after their first date, they decided to get married. 

David is also survived by his devoted mother, Linda, his sister Alison Peselman (Ed, Milo & Maceo), and his in-laws, the Laikinds (Donna & Jeffrey and Daniel & Virginia). His father, Henry Justus, is deceased. 

David graduated from Fieldston, Cornell University and Albany Law School. He was the Vice President of Data Acquisition and Operations at Lotame and he was the winner of the prestigious IAB Data Rockstar award in 2018. He co-founded multiple digital media networking organizations including doubledot.com and nymediacollective.com.

David has devoted friends from every stage of his life. He loved music, squash, the beach and overusing the phrase, “That’s what she said…”

David believed that life should not be measured by time, but by joyful moments. He was able to have many. 

The funeral will be held Monday 3/30 at the graveside for immediate family. Once we are clear from coronavirus we will have an in-person memorial service for all friends and family. On Tuesday 3/31 at 5pm, there will be an online minyan service and a celebration of life through zoom as well as an online shiva throughout the week.  Please see details to the right or scroll down to the end of David's letter.

Donations in David’s memory can be made to the “David Justus Joyful Moments Fund“ which The Justus League founded in collaboration with Making Headway to help create joyful moments for families dealing with brain tumors. http://makingheadway.org/DavidJustus/

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Please read this email from David from when he was just diagnosed. It represents his courage, love and humor.

Friends, Family, and Lotamites (Lotame.com) -

Thanks for your inquiries about my health. The surgery to remove a malignant brain tumor was 11 days ago. A routine eye exam revealed it just two days earlier and I’m still in shock.

Thank you (on behalf of Rachel, Emma, and Oliver) for your love and support. In normal times Rachel handles everything (except the phone chargers). Now she carries a far bigger burden. So I greatly appreciate the many ways you've made her life easier as she tries to keep things normal for the kids and manage my care. Thank you for the kindness you show my mom, who personifies strength and calm in the face of a mother’s worst fears (and still bakes chocolate chip muffins for the kids on Thursdays).

I'm getting thrown a lot of questions and I’ll try to answer them here. The steroids make me wired so I furiously write lists and the anti-seizure meds make me foggy so I lose them. I hope this makes sense.

First, the easy ones. No, my email wasn’t hacked. Yes, it’s fine to forward this email, but only to people who cure high-grade Glioblastoma, seek corporate development discussions with the leading independent data management platform and data exchange, or can pick up Oliver after camp next Tuesday. And no, Trump isn’t the cause. The smartest thing I did (other than marry Rachel) was kick my news addiction a month after the election. My diagnosis has liberated me further and I’m fully delegating The Donald to you.

Thanks for the prayers and wishes. But don’t pity me for being struck by brain cancer at 49. Envy my 16 years with Rachel. She breathed life into me when we met and is keeping me alive and happy today. Rachel knows me so well that she diagnosed this long before a doctor. When I asked her how many Advil to take she instantly replied: you don’t get headaches you need an MRI.

I already experienced the emotional rollercoaster of cancer. The surgery was a success so I hope the end isn't imminent. But the neurosurgeon rejected my theory that my inability to cover the front of the squash court resulted from the tumor. I’m seeking a second opinion.

Einstein’s recipe for a successful marriage has served us well so I’m sticking with it — I handle all the big issues and Rachel handles all the small issues. We haven't had one big issue to face yet and that’s not changing now. Rachel is exploring treatment options and making appointments with neuro oncologists across the country. They have hope and so do we.

I get a lot of questions about big things I never considered before — priorities, feelings, and time.

Expedited shipping was a ripoff. Now it’s a great investment.

The best way to start the day was crossies with Oliver. It still is. The best way to end the day was with Oliver (only wearing Hulk underpants) on my lap watching baseball. It still is. Whenever a Yankee pitcher gives up a hit he screams: “Daddy - we need to trade him!”

Saturday was Emma’s sleepaway camp visiting day. It’s the first family event I missed and Emma and I love swimming in the lake together. It made me sad but taught me the difference between being indispensable (Emma’s tears when she found out I wasn’t coming) and irreplaceable (the smile that immediately hid them when Rachel handed her a rhinestone rainbow necklace).

I know things are ok as long as Rachel introduces me as her husband (and not first husband) and my father-in law introduces me as a fine squash player (and doesn't mention I'm a wonderful husband and adoring father because he thinks everyone knows).

I viewed texting as a silly teen hobby. It’s now the best channel of communication — especially emojis between old friends: they capture feelings more clearly than any pulitzer prize winner and they’re the best medicine, although I haven’t tried chemotherapy yet.

So PLEASE keep your texts coming. They make me so happy.

Rachel and I agreed to marry three weeks and two days after re-meeting. It takes me twice that long to find pants that don’t itch. During our amazing life together I wondered how things turned out so well despite the impetuous courtship.

It’s not because we’re similar. As always, Rachel has been fully accepting and supportive of me. She makes friends and family the highest priority. And I pack the chargers.

The reason I continue to wake up happy every morning and go to sleep carefree every night is because we love each other a lot and love Oliver and Emma more.

Also, I get a lot of bucket list questions. I’ve hiked through Petra, climbed Angkor Wat, floated above Cappadocia, rode on a gondola, peered from the Eiffel Tower, gazed at the vaults of Sagrada Familia, walked Jerusalem’s streets, and watched elephants drink from a Madikwe watering hole at dusk.

Tonight I’m having a gin and tonic with Rachel at Paola’s. Stefano is expecting us at 8 pm.

Love,
David

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David Justus Funeral and Shiva recordings

If you click the links below you will be able to view or download any of the services. If you have any questions please let us know

Funeral Service for David Justus
https://zoom.us/rec/play/vpwlJOCrqDg3SdeRtQSDUPJ6W465Lq-shCIdqKcJxUbjACEBOlXwYbIWYOHRVtLerHOraSayXT-AIFrh?startTime=1585687447000

Shiva Services:

Extended Family (Host: Daniel Laikind)
https://zoom.us/rec/play/vJd_duyurDg3GNHD4wSDBfV-W9TvKKqsgCca__pbyEjhB3FRYVqgZ-NHZeYBdPp3ymB1F4r56oHl4CF6?startTime=1585752328000

David’s Friends and Colleagues (Host: Timur Yarnell)
https://zoom.us/rec/play/tMUud-H6r2g3EtGU5gSDUaQvW9TvJqmsgyEX_KEKnx69VnhQM1SjYeQXMOayqkeZtuWUbpTIWTbPfJ48?startTime=1585766428000

Friends of the Justus League Family (Host: Neil Shapiro)
https://zoom.us/rec/play/6ZB8f-Gs-283HdGS4gSDBvUtW9W4KKis0SBMqaAJy0y3VHgANgH0N-MaYufRwyQ5FI7jKnH5KzQbNHzY?startTime=1585838986000

Rachel's Friends and Colleagues (Host: Cassie Avirom)
https://zoom.us/rec/play/usB5ceuvpjo3GYGSuQSDV_MtW460KaysgXMY-fMEnU6wWnMLYQehNOQXY-cXDv5wQvSyslJBJydI48qZ?startTime=1585852986000

Extended Friends of the Justus, Laikind, and Peselmans (Host: Ed Peselman)
https://zoom.us/rec/play/tJB7duuvrGg3S9eR4QSDB_UtW47sLq-sgydL_adbmE_gVyJQM1T3ZuQUYeWbATmexR93NqtlfGYZO3UX?startTime=1585922155000

All speakers (Host: Daniel Laikind)
https://zoom.us/rec/play/v5EpJrr-qzo3S4aW5gSDBPAtW9S5ev-sgHca-_QMzB2wBXUHNFGuY7Eba-fT-rWLSeewaSUfcYfzLDP4?startTime=1585939683000