In Memoriam

Daniel V. Gsovski

Dan Gsovski
1964 Yale graduation

Dan Gsovski passed away on October 21, 2022 while traveling with his family in Rome, Italy. We will post his obituary here when it becomes available. In the meantime, here are remembrances from three of his Yale classmates.

Remembrance by Bob Buchanan ’64

Dan’s wife Barbara emailed me that while she and Dan were in Rome visiting family, Dan apparently suffered a major stroke or heart attack and died in their hotel room. As those who participated in the latest Class Zoom call will remember, Dan was as energetic, witty, passionate, and full of vim and vigor as ever. Even if we are all getting up there in years and such news is somewhat expected, it is still a shock.

Remembrance by Chip Levengood ’64

I am truly saddened to advise you of the death of my friend and suitemate, Dan Gsovski, on Friday, October 21, in Rome. Dan and his wife Barbara were visiting their daughter, Sasha, two grandchildren, and son-in-law who is assigned to the US Embassy. They had also welcomed a grandson from Michael in the past several months.

Katharine and I had enjoyed a Zoom cocktail get-together with Barbara and Dan just before they left for Italy. Dan was very much himself — animated, opinions about so many things, and quite happy. After Yale and Columbia Law where we shared an apartment for a year, Dan practiced as an attorney with international clients for a Manhattan firm. He remained a more than five-decade resident of Brooklyn where he and Barbara made their home and raised Sasha and Michael.

Dan was a dedicated member of the Yale Russian Chorus as an undergraduate and maintained a lifelong connection with the Chorus alumni singers and even served as its conductor for a time. Music played a very important role in Dan's life, and I recall our Davenport rooms with a huge stereo which must have measured 4' by 4' by 4'. The windows shook with mostly classical music.

I will miss Dan's huge intellect and rapid wit.”

Remembrance by Pete Putzel ’64

Dan was a Landon School and Yale classmate of ours from fourth grade through college. As you may know he was an incredibly gifted musician, both as a pianist and a choral singer. During his undergraduate days he was a central member of the Yale Russian Chorus during its heyday, and in ensuing years led the Yale Alumni Russian Chorus. You might recall that he led a moving choral presentation during our class memorial service at our 50th reunion.

Quite apart from his musical talents, he was an irrepressible wit. I suppose that, by now, I should be accustomed to news of the death of classmates, but this news is particularly painful. Dan Gsovski was the very essence of vitality.