David Otto Eisenlohr

David Otto Eisenlohr passed away on October 16, 2015. He was born August 29, 1923 to Gainor Roberts Eisenlohr and Otto Hugo Eisenlohr. He grew up in Oak Cliff, spent most of his adult life there, graduating from Sunset High School in 1940. He entered what was then The Rice Institute, only to be called into the Army in June 1943.

After completing basic training at Camp Walters in Mineral Wells he was sent to England in preparation for the invasion of France. Four days after D-Day he waded ashore at Utah Beach. One week later, as a rifleman with the 358th Infantry Regiment of the 90th Division, he was seriously wounded by German mortar fire near the French village of Orglandes. His next two years were spent in various Army hospitals while Army surgeons rebuilt his shattered left hand. Honorably discharged in 1946, his military awards and decorations include among others, the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He returned to Rice and received his B.A. in 1948 and a M.A. in History in 1950.

David had a long career in the wholesale and retail sales of recorded music. He was an ardent supporter of the Dallas Opera and Symphony and was an expert in classical music recordings. For many years he served as Chair of the Trustees of the Oak Cliff Cemetery and wrote the text of the historical marker for that cemetery. For this activity, The DAR awarded him an Excellence in Community Service Award.

He was the family linchpin and in later life was the loving caretaker of his father, his step-mother Nell Vaughn Eisenlohr and several aunts and uncles. That caretaking even continued to the residents of The Forum on Park Lane where he lived the last thirteen years of his life. A true gentleman, he was thoughtful, generous, kind, self-effacing and uncomplaining.

David is survived by his brother Dr. John Eisenlohr and his wife Marty, by his nephew David Warren Eisenlohr and his wife Shelley, two nieces, Gainor Eisenlohr and Ellen Eisenlohr Dorn and her husband Jim, one great-niece Jennifer Healey Dorn, five great-nephews, Michael Eisenlohr, Christopher Eisenlohr and his wife Anna, Peter, Matthew and Stephen Dorn, cousins Bea Eisenlohr Irons and John Gibbons Roberts, Jr., Godchild Frank Needham, Ellen Needham Winspear and many other devoted cousins and friends.

The family is appreciative of the kind caregivers at The Forum and Hospice Plus. If desired, memorials may be made to the Dallas Opera, the Dallas Symphony or a charity of your choice. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, October 23 at the Oak Cliff Cemetery, 1300 E. 8th St., 75203, followed by a reception at The Forum, 7831 Park Lane @ Central Expressway.