David Eisner Obituary

David Geoffrey Eisner David Geoffrey Eisner, 75, of Grand Junction, Colorado, passed away with his family by his side on June 25th, 2024. Born on November 8, 1948, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, David lived a full and vibrant life that touched the lives of many. Alzheimer's Disease robbed him of his memory, but it was never able to take away his spirit. Up until the very end, he fought it with the same strength and determination he applied to all aspects of his life. His trademark warmth, love and humor never faded from his eyes.

David's affinity for bow ties became his courtroom trademark, eclipsed only by his soft-spoken and fiercely eloquent appeals for justice. For more than four decades he devoted himself to defending the criminally accused, both privately and for the Colorado State Public Defenders Office. Notably, beginning in 1982, he spent five years working exclusively on capital cases and became a staunch and unapologetic opponent of the death penalty, before moving to Grand Junction in 1993 to head the public defenders office.

He lived his life with a rare sense of purpose and passion. As a public defender, he exemplified the highest ideals of the law. His unwavering commitment to justice and fairness touched the lives of countless individuals who found themselves in need of his advocacy. He approached each case with empathy and integrity, never wavering in his belief that every person deserves a voice, regardless of their circumstances.

That sense of passion extended beyond the courtroom to the outdoors. He came alive in nature- whether he was scaling mountains, riding his bike, or simply finding solace in the tranquility of the wilderness. Nature was where he found peace and renewal.

He enjoyed traveling the world with the love of his life, artist Diana Woods Eisner: biking through Italy; trekking to Machu Picchu, Peru; hiking in Patagonia, Argentina; going on a pilgrimage to Israel; exploring Ireland; visiting their daughter, Jessica, in New York City and Seoul, South Korea; and making multiple trips to Diana's family home on Madeline Island in Lake Superior. He was an accomplished guitarist and performed at Congregation Ohr Shalom of Grand Junction, where he was a lay leader.

Dave was an accomplished endurance athlete having run a sub-three-hour Boston Marathon (two hours and fifty-six minutes), and he scaled all fifty-eight fourteen-thousand-foot peaks in Colorado. He partook in Ride the Rockies on his road bike as well as many other long rides, such as the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic from Durango to Silverton. Dave liked nothing more than cross-country skiing on the Grand Mesa or hiking the high-desert canyons of western Colorado.

Dave's presence was a source of warmth and inspiration for all fortunate enough to know him. His laughter echoed through the canyons, and his gentle wisdom guided many through challenging times. Above all, he was a loving father who cherished every moment with his kids.

Dave graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1966, received a B.A. from Colorado College in Colorado Springs, and earned his law degree from the University of Colorado - Boulder in 1972. He leaves behind his wife, Diana; one sister, Barbara Eisner, of Grand Junction; two daughters, Cully (Carson) Eisner of Denver and Jessica Eisner of New York City; two stepsons, Cameron (Madeleine) Robertson of Santa Barbara and Cullen (Sarah) Robertson of Seattle; and three grandchildren, Birdie and Sam (Cully's and Carson's) and Twyla (Cameron's and Madeleine's). He is preceded in death by his parents, Doris, an elementary school teacher, and Buddy, a wholesale liquor salesman.

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the caring staff at Aspen Ridge Alzheimer's Special Care Center. We are eternally grateful for the Hopewest team who provided comfort to Dave in his last year of life and supported our family with compassion through a difficult journey. We would also like to thank Congregation Ohr Shalom for surrounding us with love in our time of grief.