David Howard Attebury

David Howard Attebury, Artist, died on April 7, 2020, at Friedwald Nursing Home, New City, New York.

Born in East St. Louis on March 2, 1923, David attended Southern Illinois State University and was a member of the Kappa Delta Fraternity.

After serving in the United States Army in New Guinea, The Philippines and Japan, he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Advertising Design from the University of Illinois. In 1949 he married his college sweetheart Martha Gruba, a professional singer in New York City, formerly from Peoria, Illinois. Subsequently, they moved to New York City where they pursued their individual careers. 

David started as an illustrator for True Detective magazine, then worked for

JC Penney and Gimbels while attending Cartoonist and Illustrators’ School at night on a scholarship. In 1953 after the birth of their daughter Ellen, the couple relocated to Pearl River. In 1955 they welcomed their second daughter, Diane, now a resident in Rosendale, New York.

David continued to expand his career, holding positions with prestigious advertising agencies including McFadden Publications, CW Hoyt, Compton Advertising, Dancer Fitzgerald Sample and Saatchi and Saatchi in positions as Head Illustrator (“sketch man”) until he retired in 1990.

His illustrations and cartoons appeared in full page advertisements in the New York Times, the New Yorker, Time Magazine, Life Magazine and many like prestigious publications. David excelled in portraits, exhibiting in the Wally Findlay Gallery and Salmagundi Club. His portrait of JFK was also shown at the Greenbrier Country Club in North Carolina and other galleries. 

David designed the logo for the Military Airlift command (MAC) and the (RAM) logo for the 732 Reserve Airlift, viewed worldwide. He was duly honored by the Society of Illustrators Club in New York City.  He also owned his own freelance business (Sketches, etc.), working many long hours for his family.

A gun enthusiast, David competed in target matches with the Rockland Rifle Club, the Hudson Valley High Power League, and the Small Bore League at West Point. He held the classification of Master Marksman for a long period of time.

David is survived by his wife Martha of Pearl River and two daughters Ellen and Diane. Ellen worked for twenty years at the Department of Social Services in Pomona, New York; Diane is an Artist, Graphic Designer and Adjunct Professor at the State University of New York at New Paltz. David is also survived by his sister Ellen Jane McDowell, Champaign, Illinois; his brother Col. John C. Attebury, Lusby, Maryland; many nieces and nephews, and his late brother Fred G. Attebury in spirit.

Donations in David’s memory may be sent to Nami–Familya, Rockland County Mental Health Organization, 140 Old Orangeburg Road, 57-1-C102, Orangeburg, NY 10962.

A memorial Mass and Celebration of David’s life will be announced at a later date.

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