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HUNTINGTON, N.Y. -- It is with great sadness that we announce the untimely passing of David A. Frendewey of Huntington, N.Y., and formerly of Iron Mountain. David passed away on Aug. 14, 2026, due to injuries incurred from a swimming accident.
David was born in Douglas, Ariz., on May 1, 1954, the son of James and Rose (Monticello) Frendewey. David attended St. Mary & St. Joseph Catholic School, where he was introduced to the world of science by his seventh grade science teacher and later by his high school biology and chemistry teachers. The influences from these teachers would carry him throughout the rest of his academic and professional career.
He graduated with honors from Iron Mountain High School, Class of 1972, and went on to receive his BS in biological sciences from Michigan Technological University, and completing his PhD in biochemistry at the University of Wyoming.
David did his postdoctoral training at Yale University and at the German Cancer Research Centre in Heidelberg, where he met his future wife. After numerous years in Heidelberg, he took a faculty position at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on Long Island, N.Y., followed by holding the position of associate professor of microbiology at NYU's School of Medicine.
In 1998, David joined Regeneron, where he worked on developing new technologies and oversaw their robotic automation lab. He also took on the supervision of research groups investigating neurodegenerative diseases, with a focus on Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS).
Left to carry on David's memory are his wife and fellow scientist, Pam Cowin; stepdaughter Lisa; his beloved grandson, Graham; siblings James (Carol) Frendewey, Pamela (Royce) Anderson and Craig (Lori) Frendewey, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He will be sorely missed by friends, family and many colleagues and former trainees who are scattered around the world.
Funeral services were held in Huntington, with family and colleagues sharing wonderful memories of how Dave impacted all our lives.