Gary Waldman

Gary Dean Waldman, born May 23, 1956 in Cleveland, Ohio, died peacefully at his home on October 29, 2019 after an extended illness. Gary was the son of the late Sid and Mae (née Hamburger) Waldman. He is survived by his wife, Debra Bird Waldman of Danville and their three children: Brian Waldman of Greensboro, North Carolina; Craig Waldman of Morehead City, North Carolina; and Stephanie Waldman of Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in the Cleveland, Ohio area where he graduated from Brush High School. A talented athlete, Gary attended Arizona State University on a gymnastics scholarship and later graduated from Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Gary was a certified public accountant and served until his passing as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Danville Regional Foundation (DRF). Through his work at DRF, Gary was able to give back to the community that he had called home for almost 30 years. He started his career at Peat Marwick Mitchell (KPMG) in Cleveland and in 1990 moved to Danville to work for Dan River Inc. He also held senior financial positions at Alpha Natural Resources and Pike Electric Corporation. A former member of the Danville Golf Club, Gary enjoyed golf and later in life became an avid long-distance runner, completing six marathons and numerous half-marathons. Gary also enjoyed listening to and playing blues music on acoustical and electric guitar – a hobby that he pursued for the last several years that connected him with many friends and an online community across the United States and Canada. In addition to his immediate family, Gary is survived by his sisters Cyndie O’Bryon (Phil) of Shaker Heights, Ohio and Shelly Adasko (Hardy) of Brooklyn, New York; his in-laws, Ray and Nancy Bird of Overland Park, Kansas; brother-in-law Dan Bird (Michelle) of Overland Park, Kansas; nieces Margaret Shore (Chris) of South Salem, New York, Katherine O’Bryon of New Orleans, Louisiana and Jessica Hanna (Jason) of Kansas City, Missouri; nephews Michael Adasko of New Orleans, Louisiana and Matt O’Bryon (Nicole) of Shaker Heights, Ohio; as well as three great-nieces and two great-nephews. A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 1, 2019 at 4:00 P.M. at Townes Memorial Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Danville-Pittsylvania Cancer Association at 223 Riverview Drive, Suite J, Danville, Virginia 24541.