In Memoriam: A Lifetime of Leadership and a Legacy of Giving

David E. Schancupp

May 11, 1941 – August 25, 2025

David Schancupp made a lasting impact on The Towers, volunteering his time and leadership skills. He served on our Board of Directors and as Board Chair. He was intrumental in bringing theater and music to The Towers and in bringing our residents to cultural events across Greater New Haven. David generously left The Towers a percentage of his estate which will help support the arts right here on our campus and our bus fund to bring residents to shows and performances. Thanks to David’s legacy, the impactful programs he initiated will continue to thrive in perpetuity. His presence and influence will stay with us through his legacy gift.

David was an accomplished and respected trial attomey for over fifty years as well as a longtime, enthusiastic member of the New Haven County Bar Association and the Connecticut Bar Association. He became known as the dean of the landlord-tenant bar in New Haven County, often assisting other attorneys with their cases and always dispensing advice freely and generously.

But David was much more than an outstanding attomey. He was truly a Renaissance man, a gifted actor and singer who appeared in countless musical productions around the state. While he had a particular fondness for Gilbert and Sullivan, he took great pride in his role as Tevye in two productions of Fiddler on the Roof, the most recent with the First Church Theatre Group in Guilford in 2015.

He was a lifelong, loyal fan of the New York Giants and a member of the Walter Camp Football Foundation. For more than twenty-five years, David served as 50% of the “chain gang,” moving the chains from the sidelines at every Yale football game.

David earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Connecticut and his law degree at Columbia University. He then joined the judge advocate corps of the United States Air Force, serving for many years, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Donors have the opportunity and the ability to make a planned gift through their estate plans. To learn more about the many vehicles for giving in this way and to make a lasting legacy at The Towers, please contact Jennifer Bayer at jennifer@towerlane.org.