David Klass (1968-2025), Longtime Laughing Squid Partner, Relentless Entrepreneur and Beloved Friend
It is with great sorrow that we share the heartbreaking news that longtime Laughing Squid partner and dear friend David Joseph Klass sadly passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025 in his hometown of Dayton, Ohio.
This is a profound loss, not only to the company but to us personally. In fact, David played a big role in our very unique wedding.
Scott and David go way back, meeting during high school in Centerville, Ohio and remaining the closest of friends until he passed. They moved to San Francisco together in 1992, starting the journey that led to so many great adventures in both of their lives. Later on, they reconnected in New York City for more adventures.
To know David was to know that he dreamed big, had an infectious laugh, and was happy to make a giant pan of paella for anyone who dropped by. He truly embodied the spirit of generosity and would do anything for anyone he considered a friend.
David Was a Relentless Entrepreneur
David was also an entrepreneur, having worked as a stock broker in San Francisco, a real estate developer in Dayton, Ohio, and an importer of Brauhaus Riegele, to the United States. This award-winning beer from Augsburg, Germany (Dayton’s sister city) had never ventured out of the country until David came along to launch Riegele in the United States. The launch was so successful that Sierra Nevada partnered with Brauhaus Riegele for their 2015 Oktoberfest beer.
In a Dayton Daily News interview David talks about how he ended up importing Riegele during a Dayton Sister City trip.
Share with us the story of how it came about that you became a beer importer and began importing Brauhaus Riegele beers.
It’s actually a great story that dates back to San Francisco and then-San Francisco Mayor, Willie Brown. But that’s another story! In short, The Dayton Sister City trip to Augsburg in 2012 was the conduit to making it all happen. We took a guided tour of the Riegele brewery and I remember saying to the other committee members “we need to bring this beer to Dayton for the Dayton-Augsburg 50th anniversary next year!”
Vi Aquavit
David developed an appreciation for the traditional Nordic spirit Aquavit and went to work with his Norwegian partners to bring a modern version to the United States with a unique recipe created by Jørgen Dons, a renowned mixologist in Trondheim, Norway. This new spirit called Vi Aquavit won a number of tasting awards.
David Loved New York City
While David traveled around the world, he loved everything about New York City and its wonderful array of culture and great food in every neighborhood.
David Was a Dog’s (and All Animals) Best Friend
David never met a dog he didn’t like. In fact, he was known to kiss dogs upon first meeting them. In fact, he loved all animals and had many unique pets, including several Burmese pythons, iguanas, chameleons and a ferret.
ChameleonDavid was also a big fan of pigs and goats. Scott would always send him any links when we posted about them.
David Was a Master of the Art of Mutlitasking
Jason Laskodi Created a Wondeful Tribute to David Klass
David was a truly unique person who was larger than life. And we will miss him terribly.
