Carson loses champion of many causes

David Piel was remembered Monday as a performer, marketer, artist and champion of numerous causes in Carson City.

Piel, who died Thursday at the age of 80, was one of the founders of Carson Advocates for Cancer Care, an organization dedicated to helping underinsured cancer patients locally. He 0worked with Advocates President Ann Proffitt for 12 years.

"He always had a purpose, a definite focus," she said. "He did so much for local cancer patients."

Piel was instrumental in getting the Advocates their first tobacco grant, which has been one of the financial mainstays for the organization, Proffitt said.

"The tobacco grant is supposed to go for education concerning tobacco use. No one wanted to go outside the envelope, but he really pushed," she said. "He did the legislative groundwork and was instrumental in convincing legislators to use the money for patient care.

"He was unique," Proffitt said. "He had a lot of talents."

A founding member of the Great Basin Players, Piel appeared onstage and served as historian, newsletter editor and publisher for the Marine Corps League. He also helped coordinate its Toys for Tots program.

His art, water colors, were displayed at the Brewery Arts Center.

Donning a vintage top-hat and tailcoat at the Children's Museum, he would read Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" aloud to the children, a version he both wrote and illustrated.

Piel grew up in New York City and Salisbury, Conn., the youngest son of William F. Piel, president of the Piels Beer brewery and Loretto Scott, a former opera singer.

He attended the Taft School in Watertown, Conn. and entered Yale University in 1942.

As a member of the United States Marine Corps 5th Battalion, 1st Marine

Division, Piel served in the Pacific Theater, including Okinawa.

After Japan's surrender, he served in Peking.

He returning to Yale and graduated with the class of 1947, then moved to New York

City to work in advertising, communications, and television. His career included producing story films for the Captain Kangaroo show.

"He did everything from commercials to acting," said family member Paula Rudolph. "He got into acting by designing commercials himself."

Rudolph said he was adamant about being active. If he could not be active, he did not want to be alive. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in October.

"I would think, if he had any wishes, he would wish for this community to keep pulling together for each other," she said.

Piel and his wife, Dee, retired to Carson City in 1991 after living in New York City, N. Y., Vermont, and San Francisco, Calif.

He leaves behind his wife and two grown children. His daughter, Candida Piel, is a graphic artist in New York City, N.Y. and his son, Geoffrey Piel, a graphic artist in Boston, Mass.

There will be no public memorial service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Carson Advocates for Cancer Care or the Brewery Arts Center.

Contact Susie Vasquez at svasquez@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.