David Kittner, 95, Blank Rome partner

David Kittner, 95, of Jenkintown, a lawyer and longtime partner at Blank Rome L.L.P., died Friday, April 18, at his home.

A native of North Carolina, he graduated from Weldon (N.C.) High School in 1934 and went on to earn a business degree from the University of North Carolina in 1939 and a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1951. Between the two degrees, he was an accountant and served a short time in the Army at the Presidio in San Francisco.

Mr. Kittner joined Philadelphia-based Blank Rome in 1956. He developed a knack for corporate tax law and was a trusted adviser during the firm's formative years. He also served as a mentor to younger lawyers.

Though he formally retired in 1989, he often came into the office to advise longtime clients and remained an active member of the bar.

"The one description that truly exemplifies who Dave was is 'Southern gentleman,' " wrote Alan Hoffman, Blank Rome chairman, in a tribute. He had "indisputable charm and keen intelligence."

Mr. Kittner set up a scholarship at UNC in his parents' memory in 1988. Twenty years later, he endowed a fund to create the UNC Kittner Eye Center and then gave additional funds to establish a distinguished professorship in ophthalmology.

He also extended his philanthropy to Settlement Music School and Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia, Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut, and Temple Sinai in Sarasota, Fla.

Mr. Kittner is survived by his wife of 34 years, Constance; daughters Harriett and Susan; a stepdaughter, Jane; a stepson, Richard; a sister; and a brother.

Services were held Tuesday, April 22, at Joseph Levine & Sons Memorial Chapel. Burial will be private.

215-854-2771 @julieyinxie