Mr. David Forsyth Zoll

DAVID FORSYTH ZOLL SEPTEMBER 9, 1941-JANUARY 15, 2024 David Forsyth Zoll, a retired lawyer and mediator, died from pneumonia at Johns Hopkins Hospital on January 15, 2024. He was 82. Born in Richmond, Virginia, he was the son of Fred B. Zoll, vice-president of the Libby-Owens-Ford Glass Company, and Marjorie, a homemaker. David grew up in Northern Virginia where he attended St. Stephen’s Episcopal School for Boys in Alexandria (Class of 1960). While there, he was president of the Student Council and a member of the varsity tennis and wrestling teams. Years later, he would meet his wife of 25 years, Robin (Taylor), a St. Agnes graduate, at a joint reunion of the recently merged St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes schools. David was a 1964 graduate of Colgate University where he received a BS in political science. He earned his law degree at George Washington University School of Law in 1967. For more than 25 years, David served as vice-president and general counsel of the Chemical Manufacturers Association/American Chemistry Council, one of Washington’s largest trade associations. He supervised a 14- lawyer legal department and over a dozen law firms in federal, state, and international environmental health and safety advocacy and represented the chemical industry in collaborative projects with government and environmental groups. According to a 1982 People magazine article, in the competitive world of the chemical industry, David was “liked by friend and foe alike.” Colleagues described him as “a person environmentalists and others don’t usually meet in the public arena. He is very witty and something of a virtuoso at spinning humorous anecdotes about everyday happenings. He doesn’t take himself, or life, too seriously.” Before joining CMA, David worked as an antitrust attorney with the Federal Trade Commission, spent a term working on the Hill for US Senator Ed Gurney (R-Fla), and served as assistant general counsel for the American Petroleum Institute. In retirement, David was an active mediator in the circuit courts and a volunteer with Community Mediation Maryland (CMM). He co-founded the Conflict Resolution Center of Baltimore County, which offers free mediation for low income residents. His hard work and commitment helped make community mediation in Baltimore County a reality. For his efforts, he received the State “Volunteer of the Year” award. David loved to express his thoughts in rhyme. His “antitrust poems”, delivered to industry executives at the annual board meeting at the Greenbrier, were legend. They were funny but conveyed a serious message that was remembered. According to his family, David had a sense of “silliness” that never quit. Included among his many talents were balancing a spoon on his nose, talking like a duck, conversing with birds, reciting “Jabberwocky”, Ogden Nash, and other nonsense poems. He once took an ailing friend to a Ravens game wearing a gorilla costume, in an effort to get both of them on TV. A blizzard interrupted the game and the media focus shifted to the weather. Viewers never saw the gorilla and his friend in the stands. David had a questioning mind and a great curiosity. A life-long learner, he enjoyed the endless pursuit of knowledge and skills. He taught himself to play the piano and was working on a cookbook with a special focus on “crusting” techniques. Enthusiastic travelers, David and Robin visited numerous countries, with groups (the Wine and Food Society and Art Seminar Group), with friends and family, and with each other. They loved to dance, especially to Sinatra’s “New York- New York”, and play golf as often as possible. Love for family was, above all, the most important thing in David’s life. Robin and David both had children when they married, and the combined family doubled the fun. David was the proudest father and grandfather to them all. He loved visiting each of them, traveling with them, enjoying their interests, cheering for their teams, attending their shows, and learning everything he could about the things they enjoyed. At the time of his death, David was president of the 14 West Hamilton Street Club and a member of the Elkridge Club. David is survived by his wife, Robin; four children, Mitchell Zoll of Austin, TX (wife Stacey), Marrit Zoll of Vail, CO, Whitney Parsons Justice of Aspen, CO, and Devon Parsons of Washington, DC; five grandchildren, Anderson, Harper, Liam, Taylor, and Lilly; his sister, Peggy VanVlack (husband Charlie), and their children, Chris Van Vlack and Amy Callahan (husband Sean). In lieu of flowers, donations in David’s name may be made to the 14 West Hamilton Street Club, 14 W. Hamilton Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. (14hamilton@gmail.com.)

Mr. David Forsyth Zoll

September 9, 1941 - January 15, 2024