David Fodor, Class of 1964

David Fodor ’64 died July 27, 2022. Dave was born September 20, 1942, the eighth child of Joseph and Mary (Fraley) Fodor.

Dave graduated from Gahanna Lincoln HS in 1960 and Otterbein College in 1964. He played basketball and baseball in HS and college and was a member of the Zeta Phi (Zeta) freternity. He received his Master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin in biology.

His first teaching experience was teaching biology in Bettsville and coaching basketball and baseball. In 1967 he moved to Lancaster teaching physical science and biology along with coaching football at Fairfield Union HS. After a move to Tiffin, Dave spent the next 25 years teaching in Tiffin, primarily 9th grade at West Jr. High. During those years, he coached basketball, tennis, and officiated football and volleyball.

Dave enjoyed woodworking, gardening, nature, and birding. Each year he participated in the Audubon bird count. He was a fan of the Cleveland “Indians”, OSU, Otterbein basketball, or any team a grandchild played on. He enjoyed traveling: Alaska, Nova Scotia, through the Panama Canal, Italy and his roots in Hungary. But his special place was the family cabin in Canada. Nothing compared to the fishing trips, northern lights, and comradery with friends and family.

Dave is survived by his wife Jeanne Jacobs Fodor ’65 and two adored children, Todd/Danielle (wife) and Nicole. The light of his life was his five grandchildren “yard birds”, Lexi, Drew, and Owen Fodor; Mara and Jake Simmons.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Joseph Jr., Alex, Jim, Carl, Frank; and sisters, Mary, and Margaret.