David Doubleday Holbrook died peacefully at home on Sunday, May 14, 2023. Born September 1, 1938 to John and Alice (Doubleday) Holbrook, David attended St. Bernard’s (1952), Millbrook School (1956), Yale (1960) and the Harvard Business School PMD. David spent his entire 40-year business career at Marsh & McLennan. He retired as CEO of the Insurance Brokerage Division of Marsh & McLennan Companies. Professionally, he was President of the National Association of Insurance Brokers.
Worldly, wise, generous and a true gentleman, David was always the sharpest-dressed man in any room he entered. While he was a highly accomplished businessman, his passion was for the arts. He amassed an impressive and important collection of West African artifacts and sculptures, which will be donated to Yale. As Chair of the Theater Development Fund he steered the move of TKTS from the trailer in Times Square to the iconic stars that bear his name. In addition to TDF, David served on the boards of the Joffrey Ballet, The Orchestra of St. Lukes, City Center, The Joyce Theater and The Noguchi Museum. He also lent his considerable talents to the boards of Continuum Health, Outward Bound and the Millbrook School.
David married the late Holly Gales in 1960, and moved to Katonah, NY to raise their three children. In 1999 he married Andrea Kline-Greif and took up residence in his beloved home in the West Village. David was predeceased by his siblings John Holbrook and Phyllis Lichtenstein, both of New York, and Peter Holbrook of San Francisco. He was the father of Helene Holbrook Downs, Christopher Cameron Holbrook, Lee Seaton Holbrook, and stepfather to Tanya Hamilton. He was also grandfather to Kelly Gales, Amanda Barber, Cameron Holbrook, Alice Holbrook Smith and Parker Holbrook, and great-grandfather to Beckett Barber, Pippa Barber and Alice Smith. A celebration of David’s life will be held at a future date.
Published by New York Times on May 21, 2023.