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Cheering People Up

David E. Retik's office in Boston looks as it did Sept. 10, before he boarded Flight 11. His screen saver shows fly- fishing, his special joy. There is a gallery's worth of pictures of his family. And on his desk, a little box has pictures of Ben, 4, and Molly, 2, on one side. Press the button on the other side, and their voices emerge: "I love you, Daddy. I miss you."

"David was an oxymoron," said Timothy Dibble, like Mr. Retik a general partner at Alta Communications, quoting a remark at his memorial service. "He was a venture capitalist who everybody liked."

Whether leaving a recording of "Gettin' Jiggy With It" on his mother's answering machine or visiting his sister in the hospital after an appendectomy and asking, "Did you save it?" Mr. Retik, 33, knew how to cheer people up.

"He played practical jokes on every single person he knew," said his wife, Susan, who met him in their freshman year at Colgate, where he was a varsity soccer player. Their third child is due on Tuesday.

This year, for the first time, Alta is inviting children to its holiday party, Mr. Dibble said. Ben and Molly can see Daddy's office one last time, just the way it was.

Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on November 17, 2001.


Suddenly by accident on Tuesday, September 11, David E. of Needham. Beloved husband of Susan (Zalesne). Loving father of Ben and Molly. Cherished son of Dr. Alan & Lynn (Barber) Retik of Weston. Dear brother of Mark Retik of NJ and Susan Siegel of NY. Grandson of Bess Schulman of NY. Son-in-law of Saul & Shelly (Brody) Zalesne of PA. Also survived by many extended family members and friends. A memorial service is being held at Temple Beth Avodah, 45 Puddingstone Lane, Newton on Friday, September 14 at 2:00pm. Memorial observance through Sunday evening at his late residence. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the New York Uniformed Firefighters Association, 204 East 23rd St., New York, NY 10010. Arrangements by the Levine Chapels, BROOKLINE.

Paid Notice published in THE BOSTON GLOBE on 9/13/2001.