David John LaPorte, PhD, aged 68 years old, and born in Reading, PA on May 9, 1954, passed away in his home on May 13, 2022, surrounded by his loving daughter, her partner, and his wife, in Pittsburgh, PA after a prolonged struggle with cancer. He is survived by his beloved children, Megan J. LaPorte, Kelly Knickelbein, Kyle Zilles, Micaiah Rucker, and Desmond Rucker; his grandchildren Graham and Genevieve Knickelbein; as well as his dear sister and her husband, Joan LaPorte and Gary Shuman; and his cherished wife, Dana Gold. He was preceded in death by his parents Dolores and Carmen LaPorte. 

Dave was a passionate learner who earned a PhD in Neuropsychology at Temple University. Throughout his career as a professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania he inspired and mentored thousands of students with his wit, insight and love for psychology and the brain. Additionally, he had a successful private counseling practice helping countless individuals who struggled with mental health and other cognitive challenges. 

In his free time when he wasn’t reading, he was hiking, biking, scuba diving, or at home cutting wood to stoke fires on the deck. His greatest joy was sharing the world with friends and family, traveling on adventures to Italy, France and so many other destinations. He is mourned by many loved ones around the globe, including family in Italy and France. 

If you would like to do something other than opening a good bottle of Brunello or cracking a cold Belgian beer—served at room temperature of course—consider a donation to support the Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy, where he loved to hike and bike throughout the years. www.gaptrail.org/support-the-gap/donate/

A celebration of Dave’s life will be held on July 23rd at his home in Pittsburgh, PA.