Sad Notes as Year Ends

The New York insurance marketplace has lost two solid professionals and genuinely nice human beings, David Isenberg (84)and Kathy Weinheimer (68). We paticipate in the Associations, ELANY and BIG I who lead the industry in sympathy for their colleagues.

Whether the D C White Agency or with ELANY, PIA, PIWA or other industry-related businesses, one could easily get to know a sponsor, supporter, thinker and doer, Dave Isenberg. He was well known throughout the industry, particularly the New York, as an influential leader and expert in his field. “His special and unique personality and demeanor engendered warm feelings among his peers leaving most everyone he met favorably impressed. Dave’s impact on the industry and his colleagues and friends ran deep” read a statement issued by ELANY, on whose Board he served. He was a friend to the Insurance Advocate for many years, dating back to collaborations with our legendary editor Manny Levy.

Dave’s friends on the ELANY Board expressed many kind thoughts and memories. “Dave was a consummate professional yet big hearted, generous and humble,” said Jim Richardson. Eric Keller expressed his gratitude for having come to know Dave, who he remembers as a true gentleman, always kind and welcoming. “Dave was both a knowledgeable and passionate professional but more importantly, awonderful human being,” noted Lance Becker. Kevin McGill said, “Dave’s dedication to his wife, children and grandchildren was boundless.” Janet Pane felt “Dave was a gifted teacher and mentor, yet he was always curious and respectful of the views of others.” Bob Shapiro simply said, “He was my good friend for 60 years.”

Dan Maher summarized nicely with his words: “I first met Dave in 1982 on the New York Insurance Exchange and had the pleasure of acting as counsel to D C White in the mid-90s and then having Dave serve on the ELANY Board for many years, which allowed us to travel together and occasionally ski and play some golf. He was always a positive influence on both my personal and professional life.” Dave leaves behind his wife Arlene, his daughter Jill and her children Molly and Noah, his daughter Loren and her husband, Gary and their children Jed and Libby and his son Gary and his wife Jackie and their children Ben and Macy.

An Insurance Educator’s Educator, Kathy Weinheimer, passed away at home in Minoa, New York. Kathy was born in Syracuse and was graduated from Syracuse University in 1976. Her “brand” as an insurance educator took shape when she joined the Big I of New York, then IIAANY as education director. She worked in the insurance business for 41 years and moved from education director to  Senior VP of Industry Relations at Big I New York, retiring in 2018. During her tenure at Big I she saw much change in the Association, in the insurance law and, notably, the introduction of continuing education requirements for agents. Kathy was stalwart in her delivery of high quality learning opportunities for members of the association and others and became the advocate for that very group of professionals as Big I’s industry ambassador to the insurance world. Locally, much in the manner of the agents she represented, she was active in the Bishop Grimes Sports Boosters, the Cathedral High School Club and the Syracuse Insurance Women’s Association.. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Fred Weinheimer; two sons, Michael Weinheimer of Minoa and Kevin (Jacqueline) Weinheimer of Syracuse; two grandchildren, Joseph and Matthew Weinheimer; four sisters, Susan (Robert) Tschernjawski of Camillus, Nancy Olson of Camillus, Anne Dollard of Palmer, AK and Mary (Stephen) Dougherty of Syracuse; brother, R.J. Dollard Jr. of Syracuse; eleven nieces and nephews, Mary Kate (Peter) Kirk, Timothy (Kayla) Tschernjawski, Emily Tschernjawski, Sarah (Tyler) Carr, Anna Olson, Robert Dougherty, Cal Dougherty and Caroline Dougherty; and great-nieces, Olivia, Madeline and Eleanor Kirk and Harper Lynn Carr. Kathy was a balanced, bright, dedicated, most reliable, sweet tempered human being whose work really made a difference for New York agents and for its oldest association.

 May David’s and Kathy’s families find solace.  SA