In Memorium: David Marc Fischer, Gluten-Free NYC

I’m greatly saddened to share the news that one of the forerunners in the online gluten-free community passed away this summer. After battling an aggressive form of cancer, David Marc Fischer was taken from us abruptly in August.

I have struggled to write about it as sadness begins to overwhelm me. David was a dear friend and support. The loss hit me in a profound way, and I know I must be experiencing only a glimmer of the pain his family is feeling.

I first met David at the Gluten-Free Cooking Spree in 2007, though we knew each other ‘virtually’ before that. We became fast friends once we crossed over from digital to real life. David and I both went to college at the University of Virginia. We shared tales of Charlottesville in years past and were constantly exchanging tips on restaurants and gluten-free products. David came to my apartment for gluten-free tastings – he introduced me to a variety of gluten-free beers and always knew the best sources for gluten-free breads and pastas.  Who else could understand the funny stories that come about when dating gluten-free?  He was such a positive person, I felt truly lucky to count him among my friends.

In addition to authoring Gluten-Free NYC, he also wrote Blog About Town and was remembered at Emdashes for his dedication to the New Yorker cartoon contest. While his memorial was in August, the Celiac Meetup Group in NYC is having a dinner in his honor Monday, September 14th . The dinner will begin at 7pm at Lilli and Loo’s, one of David’s favorite restaurants. After spending time in China after college, David LOVED Asian cuisine. Since he only ate at restaurants that were part of the Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program, the arrival of Lilli and Loo’s was truly a gift for him. I realize many of you are too far away to make it to dinner, but we are lucky to be able to use the Internet to connect and share.

It feels like yesterday that David and I were making risotto together at a gluten-free cooking class he invited me to. I am so grateful for his friendship, thoughtfulness, conversation, intelligence and cheer. My life is richer and the world is a better place because he was a part of it.

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