Rogelio "Ral" David - Obituary

ogelio “Ral” Guanlao David passed away peacefully and of natural causes at home on May 4th, 2023. He was 87 years old. Ral was born in Santa Rita, Pampanga, Philippines on September 16th, 1935 to the late Abelardo David and Brigida Guanlao David. He loved to travel internationally, play golf, and enjoy the company of colleagues, family, and friends. He traveled across the world several times during his lifetime and was fluent in 7 languages. He was a lifelong learner, naturally inquisitive, and had passion for travel, culture, and food. Ral graduated from Ateneo de Manila University and was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study in the United States in 1960. He attended several universities including The University of Maryland, American University, Catholic University, and Georgetown University, where he earned a PhD in Economics. In 1964, he worked as a Lobbyist for Senator Earle C. Clements (D-Kentucky), and started a 25-year career at the World Bank, which culminated as Chief Economist in Indonesia. In 1988, he retired and became Chief Economic Advisor to the government of Indonesia, MataHari Department Stores, and the Rustan’s Department Store in Manila. There, he focused on building Rustan’s Duty Free shops. He also worked on bringing the first Starbucks to the Philippines. Upon returning to the USA in 1999, he attended Trinity College and received a Master’s in Religion, became a Sodality precept, and joined the third Order of the Carmelites. Ral was a lifelong resident of Oxon Hill, MD, and was very active at St. Columba Catholic Church as a daily communicant, regular lector, and participant in church activities. Along with his parents, Ral is predeceased by his son, Jonathan David; his sister, Maria Elvira David Duenas; his brothers, Jose, Julio, and Diomedes; and his brothers in law, Valentin Santos and Conrado Dueñas. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Cresencia David of Oxon Hill, MD; his sons, Alexander David and wife Louisette of Waterloo, Ontario, Christopher David and wife Mary of Washington, DC, and Mark David and wife Lenie of Alexandria, VA; siblings Sr. Amelia David ICM, Imelda David Santos of Guam, Francisca David, David Octavio of Las Vegas, NV; and his in-laws, Victoria Saplala David of Hawaii, Carolina Paar, Rey David, Teresita Castillo of Las Vegas, NV. He leaves behind grandchildren Samantha David of Ottawa, Ontario; Didi David of Waterloo, Ontario; Erin David of Waterloo, Ontario; Helen David of San Francisco, CA; Josh Flores and wife Nadja of Alexandria, VA; and Leslie Aguila of Halethorpe, MD. Relatives and friends are invited to gather Ral’s visitation on Tuesday, May 23rd from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory: 6160 Oxon Hill Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered the following day on Wednesday, May 24th at 10 AM at St. Columba Catholic Church: 7800 Livingston Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745.