David Matthew Zeman - Obituary

Beginnings are usually scary, and endings are usually sad, but it’s everything in between that makes it all worth living.” – Bob Marley David Matthew Zeman was born in Baltimore on February 4th, 1965, to Jane and the late Donald Zeman. The family moved to Kentucky when Dave was young. Dave attended Kentucky Country Day School and graduated from St. Francis High School in 1983. He was president of his high school fraternity, the Athenaeum Literary Association (ALA), which was established in 1862. He was also a member of the Louisville Bachelor Club from 1984-1989. Dave returned to Baltimore to support his ailing father and attend the University of Baltimore, which he graduated from in 1996. That was a very good year, as it was also when he met the love of his life, Debbie Guido. The two were married at the Loyola University Chapel in 1998 and honeymooned on St. Vincent in the Grenadines. Dave and Debbie arrived in Annapolis in 1998 and eventually settled in Arundel on the Bay. There they welcomed their two boys, Braden Matthew and Tyler James. Dave was the boys’ biggest fan. He loved imparting his wisdom on his young men, and they actually appreciated it sometimes. Dave, Debbie, and the boys had a lot of adventures. They took trips to ski, sightsee, and enjoy the ocean with family and friends. A barbecue connoisseur, Dave and Debbie outfitted their back deck to welcome everyone. Dave enjoyed the role of host immensely, treating his family like friends and his friends like family. At the Zeman home, there was always a barbecue to enjoy, cold beverages to share, and lots of hearty laughs. Perhaps fireworks were involved, from time to time. Dave was the sales manager at MidAtlantic Rubber Company in Baltimore for 27 years, where his coworkers became his second family. Rumor has it that Dave stayed at the company for so long because he could wear board shorts to work. Dave was an active member of the Annapolis and Arundel on the Bay communities, serving as president of the Arundel on the Bay board, and volunteering for many projects and initiatives. But perhaps of all his volunteer work, Dave loved community baseball the most. Dave coached his sons in the sport and was an integral part of the growth and success of the local Peninsula Athletic League (PAL) ballpark, eventually serving as the tireless commissioner. On any given day you could find Dave tending to the fields, dropping in on games to cheer on Annapolis youth, organizing improvements, or simply ensuring the field lights were on so young players could practice. So often there would be beautiful tents set up and the fields would look amazing. Not many realized who was behind the work. Dave was the type of guy who never posed for a photo op – he didn’t do things for the accolades, he did it for the love of the game. David loved God, his family, and his country. He had a generous heart and would help anyone in need. Dave always thought about others and enjoyed solving problems. He was a loyal fan of the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles. David was preceded in death by his father, Donald and his brother, Carl. Dave is survived by his best friend and wife of 25 years, Debbie; his sons Braden and Tyler; his mother, Jane Zeman; his sister, Dr. Alicia Karas (Dr. Richard Karas), and sister-in-law, Masayo Zeman. He is also survived by his parents-in-law Jayne-Ann and Vincent Guido, brother-in-law Jim Guido (Tara); sister-in-law Marisa O’Brien (K.C.); brother-in-law Jack Guido; five nieces and nephews: Jacob Guido, Lucy O’Brien, Christian Guido, Karli O’Brien, and Zachary Guido; along with host of family and friends and Scout and Addie, the pups. With a servant’s heart, David showed us all what a life well lived looked like. Although we’re shattered by our loss, we’ll see Dave again, as he was greeted by our Lord Jesus and brought into life everlasting. “And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’” Matthew 3:17 NIV Well done, David, our Lord’s good and faithful servant. May you rest in peace, until we meet again…. Friends are invited to celebrate David's life on Thursday, February 22 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8pm at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD where his memorial service will be held on Friday, February 23 at 11 am. Condolences may be made by using the Memories tab on this page.