David Mercer Funk, an attorney who had been Bryn Mawr School’s board chair, died of Parkinson’s disease complications June 2 at Sinai Hospital. The former Ruxton resident was 77.
Born in Baltimore and raised on Walnut Avenue, he was the son of Hannah Elizabeth Mercer and Frank Miller Herring Jr. After his father died, his mother married Grady Funk, who adopted him. His parents changed his name to reflect their new family. He was the grandson of Beverly Howard Mercer, the former president of the old Fidelity and Deposit Company.
He met his future wife, Corinne Kirk Maguire, while she was attending Notre Dame of Maryland University. She attended a Johns Hopkins mixer, and they met at the coat check. They married August 31, 1968, at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.
Mr. Funk converted to Catholicism in preparation for their marriage and remained a lifelong devout Catholic.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and government from Johns Hopkins University, a master’s degree in history from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and was a Harvard Law School graduate.
He served for four years in the Navy as an intelligence officer. He was assigned to the Indian Ocean but declined to discuss his military service with others, citing security obligations.
Mr. Funk established a practice and expertise in municipal and insurance law at Piper & Marbury (now DLA Piper) before he joined Shapiro & Olander as a partner in 1988 and then founded his firm, Funk & Bolton, with partner Bryan Bolton in 1996. His firm was located at 26 S. Charles St. and 100 Light St.
He led the firm for 22 years and enjoyed all aspects — the complex and engaging legal work; building and administering a business; and most of all, mentoring and supporting the lawyers and administrators.
“He was known for his intellect and quiet, but deep, wisdom,” said his daughter, Corinne Funk Hammons. “He was also proud to be admitted to the bar of the United States Supreme Court.”
She also said, “My father had many accomplishments, but more importantly, he was a good person.”
Mr. Funk was board chair of the Bryn Mawr School from 1999 to 2002.
A funeral Mass was held June 9.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Corinne Maguire Funk; two daughters, Corinne Funk Hammons, of Setauket, New York and Katherine Funk Eisenberg, of New York City; a son, Nicholas Mercer Funk, of Baltimore; a cousin, Robert L. Herring Jr., of North Carolina; and five grandchildren.
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