NAB Exec Was 'Terrific Role Model,' Coach, Friend

David J. Dziedzic is known across the country as a 15-year driving force with the National Association of Broadcasters who also held a number of roles with Major League Baseball.

But in Vienna, Virginia, the 49-year-old was better known as a loving husband and father, a passionate coach, an involved boy scout leader and for the other roles he held throughout the community. It is those roles, his energy and "ready smile" family and friends are missing this week after Dziedzic lost his battle with brain cancer Saturday at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Md.

"David was a wonderful man and a terrific role model, not just for [his] children but for all of the kids who were lucky enough to know him," wrote Mark and Lynda Tenhundfeld in an online memorial for Dziedzic.

Dziedzic, born September 4, 1962 in Chicago, graduated from Notre Dame in 1984.

The early part of his career was spent with the MLB, as vice president of marketing for the Texas Rangers and  special events director for Major League Baseball in New York. They were roles a former colleague called challenging but which Dziedzic handled with grace.

"[It] was governed by many masters and always conducted on a public stage. His efforts were flawless and made those around him look good," wrote the colleague, Rick White, on Dziedzic's online memorial.

Those efforts continued at the NAB, where colleagues said he was central to the success of the NAB show.

"The NAB family has lost a great friend," NAB representative Chris Brown said in a statement to All-Access Music Group. "[He] helped make it one of the top trade show events in the world. He took the association to new levels of achievement through his creative leadership of NAB services and membership development outreach."

In Vienna, Dziedzic gave those same talents to the community while raising his three boys, David Fletcher, Luke Arthur and Charlie Richard Dziedzic, with his wife Diane. Among his most prominent roles was as a member of the Board of Directors for the Vienna Little League.

"He was the best baseball coach ever and always so energetic," Vienna resident Bridget Hull wrote on his online memorial. "It was just a few weeks ago at a bball game he was so inquisitive about my son's accomplishments, while watching HIS son's game. That was Dave!"

Over the course of the last year, Dziedzic faced a brain cancer diagnosis with strength and courage, friends said. Brown, who wrote he had worked with Dziedzic for the past 12 years, said he had already come to know David as "a good person, family man, smart, dedicated, fellow lover of college sports."

"But after having witnessed David's courageous fight with cancer, I am sure now that I didn't really know him. He was a far stronger and better person than I ever imagined, of that I am now certain. I am truly sorry I won't have the chance to get to know him more," Brown wrote.

That courage offered a small comfort for those that knew him: "What a marvel to know that part of him lives within each of his sons," wrote Carlota Bernal Shewchuk.

Dziedzic is also survived by his parents, Robert and Sharlene Dziedzic of Warrington, Penn.; sister Mary Sharon Komarek and her husband Chris; nephews Charles and James Komarek; and parents-in-law John and Anne McFadden of New York City.

The family will be receiving guests from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight at 171 Maple Ave W, Vienna. A service will be held at 10:30 am Wednesday at , 8601 Wolftrap Road, Vienna. Burial is private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Brain Tumor Society's Race for Hope, DC (Team Davey Doo www.curebraintumors.org) or Life with Cancer Center, 8411 Pennell Street, Fairfax.(www.lifewithcancer.org)