David N. Muirhead, Sr.

David N. Muirhead, Sr., age 87, of Forrest Hills New York passed away on March 19, 2023. Born in Avon, New York, he was the son of Peter and Kathryn (Waterman) Muirhead. Dave was a graduate of the University of Rochester. David was a student athlete, at Delmar High School excelling at Football and Basketball and Track. Dave was an avid tennis player and was an active in many sports. While at the Rochester University (graduated 1957), he participated in varsity football. In 1955, he was undefeated in the 100-yard sprint (10.0 flat) and was in both 100/220-yard sprint NYS intercollege track competition at RPI which consisted of 8 colleges. In 1957, he won the Louis A. Alexander award. He met Patricia (Devine) Muirhead (deceased June 2021) at University of Rochester, they were married in 1958. He was the original on-campus “pizza business operator”, when Dave and Patricia demonstrated their entrepreneurial skills selling hot Pizza Pies out of the back a long black hearse, which was popular evening snacks for the University students. He was invited to NYC for an appearance on a national television show, made a record for US government Voice of America, which was sent to West/East European countries. He received his graduate degree from Harvard Business School in 1959 and was employed by the department of defense (LMI) from 1962-1964, and from 1965-1979 he went on to establish Homesmith, a home repair firm in California, and then founded Urban Development Company, a single-family home developer in Maryland. Dave focused on HUD programs that encouraged equity on the single-family housing market in the 1970s and 1980s.

As a retired athlete, Dave was known for his enthusiasm for Tennis, playing in Forest Hills, Queens, New York and during winter seasons, and winter season in Deerfield Beach and Del Ray, Florida. Dave’s is survived by his devoted life companion, Janet Lieberman, who joined him for three decades in Queens, New York and Florida. Dave and Janet traveled Europe, Russia, Caribbean and Canada in the last two decades, enjoying many of the joys of overseas adventures.

We will always remember the positive attitude and generous inclusive spirit that Papa Dave maintained during the good times and bad. We all hope that his positive vibes stay with us all and he will Rest in Peace.

Dave is survived by his daughter, Kathryn D. Rash (George); sons, David N. Muirhead, Jr. (Gail) and Gilbert P. Muirhead (Kim Carson); devoted life companion, Janet Lieberman; grandchildren, Heather Harlow, Max Rash, Kimberly Lujan, Lindsey Gonzalez and Emma Rash; great-grandchildren, Tommy Harlow and Lucy Lujan; brother-in-law, Clare Tyler; and several nieces, nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Molly Tyler and former spouse, Patricia Ann Muirhead.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101.