David Howard Diesing

David Howard Diesing died unexpectedly on March 18, 2023 at his residence in Verplanck, New York. He was only 55 years old. David’s family and friends are deeply saddened and shocked by his sudden death.

David is survived and missed by his mother Gayle (Diesing née Jepsen, Dayton, OH), his brother Bill (William E. Diesing III, Lincoln MA), his sister Mary (Bauder, Lake Forest,IL) and by his nephews William, Luke and Owen Bauder (Lake Forest, IL), Kai Diesing (Lincoln, MA) and niece Keyko Diesing (Lincoln,MA), who all referred to him as Uncle DD, and were enthusiastic attendees of Camp Uncle Dave throughout the years. He is forever cherished by his sister in law Claudia Schoenig-Diesing (Lincoln, MA) and brother in law, Christopher Bauder (Lake Forest, IL). He will be very much missed by Daytin, his adopted canine companion and intrepid partner on his many adventures, on the trails, on the road and on the water near his house.

David was predeceased by his father William Edward Diesing Jr., who passed away in Dayton, OH on December 12, 1994.

David was born on November 24, 1967 at Scott Air Force Base, in Belleville, IL. In his youth, his father’s military service, took the family around the world – and David lived previously in Illinois; Papillion, NE; Alexandria, VA; Bangkok, Thailand and ultimately Dayton, OH where he graduated from Carroll High School in 1986. He graduated from the University of Dayton in 1990 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, before embarking on a career in photography and lighting design that also took him all over the world.

He began his career working for the Department of the Interior, photographing historically important structures throughout the US. He entered the fashion photography industry as an assistant to Annie Liebowitz. As his reputation grew, he moved to Brooklyn, New York to be closer to the global photographic and lighting community. Over the course of his 30 years in the industry, David had the opportunity to work extensively with such photography icons as Steven Meisel, Andreas Sjodin, Arthur Elgort, Francois Nars, Roe Ethridge, Marilyn Minter, Jason Nocito, Ryan McGintley and many others on behalf of some of the world’s most treasured brands and publications. David founded Nucleus Productions in 2011, to provide lighting and design resources and equipment to photographers in the industry and then founded his own consultancy, FAREYE Inc., which provided creative lighting services and architectural photography.

In 2016, David bought a home overlooking the Hudson River in Verplanck, NY and set about transforming it into a stunning expression of his creative genius, with every room and object reflecting his personal touch and aesthetic. He constantly had a project going to improve parts of the property, eliminating invasive plants, creating a beautiful garden and then an apiary, where he happily tended his hives and harvested his much sought-after honey to give as gifts. Dave was an avid collector of racing bicycles, which he stashed everywhere he traveled, so he could get out on the road anytime and anywhere. At his core, Dave was an enthusiast, who loved to teach people and to share his love for photography, graphics, music, snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, kayaking, biking and hiking. That love of sports and the outdoors lives on in his family and his friends, who can now commune with Dave out in the wild and the quiet places, which Dave has discovered and has shared with so many others. Dave’s expertise in lighting is an apt metaphor for the way he approached life, his friends and his family. Dave always took the time and care to put people in their best light - encouraging them with his warmth, energy and enthusiasm. He had an incredible ability to talk to people of all ages, all types and all outlooks.

Dave could reveal new ideas, new aspects of someone’s life, and to elevate moments to something magical, in small and subtle ways. Whether going over the top on designing birthday and Christmas presents right down to his elaborately crafted wrapping paper, to specially curated music and cocktails and to having virtual movie nights with his mom, Dave was able to bring out the best in people - quietly, humbly and joyously. There are people who are “up for anything” or “down for anything”. Dave was the person who would plan what that “thing” was, and then motivate people to do it. Whether a Sunday drive to see foliage, or paddling about and finding new sights along a shoreline, Dave brought to people new perspectives and new experiences.

We are grateful to the people who tried so hard to do everything they could to help him on the night of his passing. We also appreciate the many people who have reached out to comfort Dave’s family during this unbearably difficult time. We are truly blessed, as it reflects the depth of the love which people had for Dave, and the breadth of the many people who knew and loved him.

Dave was a giver of light in this world. His light will live on in each of the people who were lucky enough to have been enveloped in it, and in his warmth and his love. Dave’s legacy will carry on, forever reminding us that we can transform each moment, each encounter and each relationship into something deeper, something warmer and something more joyous. As we continue on in our own life’s journeys, we can take comfort in the feeling that Dave will be there alongside us, lighting the way forward.

A celebration of life is being planned in New York and in Dayton, Ohio. More details will follow, once they become available.