College Fundraiser Started For Slain Maplewood Man's Children

MAPLEWOOD, NJ - He was full of genuine warmth, humor and somehow got God Street Wine to play in their gym. Now, Newark Academy classmates want to send the daughters of David Kimowitz, murdered in his home on Aug. 3, to college.

"On Aug. 3 the world lost David Kimowitz," fundraiser organizers wrote online. "He was full of genuine warmth and humor, both to those of us that knew him well and to those that just shared a few classes with him."

Kimowitz's died at the hands of Joseph Porter the ex-boyfriend of his au pair Karen Bermudez-Rodriguez, who was also killed by Porter, according to police. Since the double murder, classmates said Kimowitz's family has been on their minds.

"We, his high school classmates, can't stop thinking about his wife Laura and his two girls Ava and Emma. This fund is for a 529 college plan for the girls. We hope that they get to have the kind of education Dave received," they wrote.

The fundraiser on GoFundMe has raised just over $5,000 out of the $20,000 goal.

"Dave will be missed and cherished by so many. His friendship and spirit was always welcomed. He set an incredible example for what it means to live," Kim Ritter Kassnove said on the fundraiser page. "I will never forget his laughter or his smile and I feel lucky to be among the many to have called him a friend."

Adrian Graham noted on the fundraiser page that Kimowitz was one of the kindest members of the Class of '97.

"I don't think I ever saw him without a smile on his face. We didn't know each other very well but one of my very first memories of him was that he had kosher meals for Passover," Graham said. "As a person of faith, it was encouraging to me to witness classmates of different religious backgrounds practicing their own traditions. I will carry his smile, his kindness, and his generosity of spirit in my heart, and I pray for consolation and peace for his family."

The fundraiser is organized by The Newark Academy Class of '97.

"Please donate and then share with others," they wrote. "College is expensive. Thank you."

Patch is a GoFundMe promotional partner.

Thanks for reading! Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to russ.crespolini@patch.com

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading, or by visiting the Google Play store.