David S. Greenwald, longtime clinical psychologist and social activist, has died at 79
He was the team psychologist for the Eagles from 1992 to 1996.
David S. Greenwald, 79, of Philadelphia, longtime clinical psychologist in Philadelphia, Bucks County, and elsewhere, onetime Eagles team psychologist, environmental and peace activist, radio show host, author, and volunteer, died Wednesday, Sept. 9, of complications from a stroke at his home in Center City.
Dr. Greenwald earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology at Brandeis University in Massachusetts and a doctorate in psychology at Adelphi University in New York. He married Wendy Forman, a psychotherapist, in 1970, and they spent the next 56 years protesting, organizing, educating, and counseling hundreds of patients and clients.
He was an expert on marriage, children, violence, anxiety, despair, stress, anger, sports psychology, and psychotherapy. He hosted Family Matters, a radio call-in show, on WHYY-FM in the 1980s and spoke about love and life on other shows, and at workshops, high schools, colleges, hospitals, and community centers.
He was interviewed by The Inquirer and Daily News for stories about marital strife, domestic violence, sports fan violence, depression after sports defeats, the Eagles-Dallas Cowboys football rivalry, social redemption, and celebrity sex scandals.
He and his wife were featured in The Inquirer in a 1987 story about their “marriage tuneup” workshops, and he said: “It’s work, but it shouldn’t be grim work. If you can be like kids and have fun, then it tames the monsters in any marriage.”
Dr. Greenwald was a player relations consultant and team psychologist for the Eagles from 1992 to 1996. He made headlines in 1995 when he jokingly wagered with players that they would not win four straight games. They did, so he allowed them to shave his head in the locker room.
In the weeklong run-up to the Eagles losing the Super Bowl to New England in 2005, he served on the Daily News’ Ask the Experts panel and responded to questions from readers, such as “Who will be more upset if the Eagles lose the Super Bowl, the players or the fans?” His answer was the fans.
In 1979, he and his wife were among 89 people arrested for jumping a snow fence and occupying the construction site of the nuclear power plant in Limerick, Montgomery County. “We wanted to be arrested,” he told The Inquirer then, “so the people could get the facts on nuclear power.”
Later, he and his wife studied the effects of the nuclear arms race on children and helped create Peace Research Associates in 1985. In 1987, he co-authored the book No Reason To Talk About It: Families Confront the Nuclear Taboo and appeared on Bernie Sanders’ cable TV show Bernie Speaks with the Community.
He and his wife also protested against the Point Pleasant pumping project in the 1980s and met with dissidents and refuseniks in what was then the Soviet Union. He performed in several Gilbert and Sullivan operettas in college and later with his wife and others in a show called The Comedy of Marriage or Living Together.
Dr. Greenwald was born with a heart defect. He had groundbreaking corrective surgery at 15 and outlived his original life expectancy of 20 by nearly 60 years.
“He had a big personality,” his wife said. “He was beloved by his patients. He spoke up, but it was always with humor.”
David Stephen Greenwald was born June 8, 1947, in New York. He grew up rooting for New York sports teams, his wife said, but shifted his allegiance later to Philadelphia.
He met Wendy Forman on a blind date in New York, and they married in 1970, and had a son, Abraham, and a daughter, Anna. He did postdoctoral work in Philadelphia and California, and then lived with his wife and children in Carversville, Bucks County, for 20 years and Philadelphia since 2004.
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Dr. Greenwald was an avid reader, writer, storyteller, and sports fan. He doted on his children and grandchildren.
He enjoyed walking his dog in Rittenhouse Square and made friends with practically everyone he met. He especially supported people who were living without homes.
He liked dancing and singing, and did a mean Mick Jagger impersonation, his wife said. He and his wife also threw memorable parties and watched South Korean K-dramas together.
In a recent man-on-the-street video interview, he was asked to advise new couples. He said: “Keep a sense of humor. Forgive.”
His daughter said: “His generosity of spirit was unparalleled.” His son said: “He really lived a life.”
His wife said: “It was a fun ride. I am so grateful for all of that time.”
In addition to his wife and children, Dr. Greenwald is survived by two grandchildren, a brother, and other relatives.
A private celebration the family is calling their “Davidpalooza” is to be held later
Donations in his name may be made to Homies Helping Homies, 2400 S. 24th St. Philadelphia, Pa. 19145,
