David Reynolds died Aug. 29, 2011, in Richmond, Va. He was 96.
Dave prepared at the Lawrenceville School. At Princeton he majored in psychology, was on the freshman football team, captained the freshman polo team, and joined Cap and Gown Club.
After Princeton, Dave joined the family business, Reynolds Metals Co., as a salesman and immediately began trying to persuade major breweries to affix aluminum labels to their beer bottles.
Dave oversaw development of aluminum products for the aerospace, automotive, and construction industries, but became best known for bringing that metal to a mass consumer audience. The company started by his father in 1919 grew to become the nation’s second-largest aluminum manufacturer behind Alcoa.
Dave recognized an opportunity for aluminum wrap to become a household staple. He developed TV commercials and arranged demonstrations to educate consumers to wrap leftovers. He really was the man behind Reynolds Wrap.
Dave retired as Reynolds’ CEO and chairman. In retirement he lived at his homes in Richmond, Del Ray Beach, Fla., and Wequetonsing, Mich. He owned many racehorses — the most famous being Tabasco Cat, winner of the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
Dave’s wife, Margaret, died in 1992. He is survived by his daughters, Margaret Mackell, Julie Swords, and Dorothy Brotherton; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. The class extends sympathy to them all.