OBITUARY: U.S. Army Veteran David P. Pettit of Melbourne Passed Away April 13

The game of bridge became and would remain one of the loves of his life

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – David P. Pettit passed away on April 13, 2022. David was born on April 14, in Ft. Riley, Kansas to Col. Homer and Helen (Page) Pettit. He attended Phillips Academy in Andover CT and then received an appointment to the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY (Class of 1950).

He later earned his Masters Degree at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA., and taught freshman algebra at George Washington University in DC.

His years of service included stations in Puerto Rico and the Panama Canal as well as Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. David also taught freshman algebra at George Washington University in Washington DC. David was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Homer B. Pettit, Jr.

David learned to play bridge at the age of 5 from his parents and their friends after they needed a fourth at the table.

In the early 60s, while a financial advisor in NYC, some friends from his overseas Army service convinced him to resume playing bridge. He and his team beat the vaunted Bear Stearns Team in a knockout round.

The game of bridge became and would remain one of the loves of his life. David later moved back to the DC area where he continued in his role as a financial advisor while fitting in numerous trips to far-flung countries around the world and becoming a Master Bridge Champion.

Argentina was a favorite destination and the friends and families he met there were a lasting part of his life. The last 30 years (when not traveling) were spent primarily in Melbourne, Florida at IRCC, a military retirement community.

David stayed busy with his IRCC retired tennis group, Wickham Park Senior Center Bridge group, and even learned about online bridge.

The non-profit Brevard Zoo was also an important part of his life, especially the Giraffes. He often took friends and family to enjoy one of the greatest of the small zoos in the US. His relationship with West Point, fellow graduates, and their families endured until his death.

He is survived by his nieces, Helen Page Pettit, Reston, VA: Gail Pettit Romansky, Herndon, VA: great-nephews, Paul Berno, Andrew Berno, Nathan Romansky and great-niece, Claire Romansky.

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