David Embrey Pickeral
May 14, 1966 – September 24, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we bid farewell to David Embrey Pickeral, a talented and dedicated man whose life was marked by a profound commitment to his career as a smart cities and intelligent transportation consultant, technology startup advisor, and lifelong learner.

David passed away on September 24th, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of service to his country, mentorship of family members and colleagues, and remarkable strength under adversity.

Born on May 14, 1966, in Washington, DC (mother Patricia Hurley Pickeral, father Robert Embrey Pickeral), David grew up in McLean, Virginia. Weekends were spent between the Pickerals’ family farm outside Middletown, Virginia, riding horses and roasting marshmallows, and the Hurleys’ family marina in Urbanna, cruising and fishing the waters of the Chesapeake Bay.

Always an exceptional student and proud Langley Saxon, David was awarded a Naval ROTC scholarship to the University of Virginia. Part of a three-generation family legacy at UVA, he pursued his passion for studying English, earning his Bachelor of Arts in 1988.
Upon graduation, David was immediately commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy. He packed up his beloved blue Pontiac Grand Prix, embarking on a five-year adventure that would take him to California and back. He was first stationed in San Diego, then Long Beach, finally wrapping up his naval service in Florida at Pensacola NAS in 1993.

Returning to the DC area following his discharge from the Navy, David attended the George Mason University Law School, earning his JD and becoming a member of the Virginia Bar Association in 1996. It was while studying at GMU that David began working for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (aka Metro). This was the beginning of his lifelong love for all things transportation and, in particular, buses. Over thirty years, he amassed a sizable collection of model buses of various shapes and sizes, many representing municipalities or transportation authorities he had worked with over his illustrious career.

David’s dedication to his career led him to work in various professional services settings, including lengthy stints at both Booz Allen and IBM, where he focused his extensive expertise on smart cities and intelligent transportation. Through his work, David was able to travel the world. He served global clientele and was a sought-after speaker, often appearing at international travel and transportation conferences.

In October of 2022, David’s life took a beautiful turn when he married the love of his life, Veronica Bookbinder-Rispler. Though it had taken many years and adventures in between for them to reunite, David and Veronica first met on a day cruise to Ensenada, Mexico, while he was stationed in San Diego. Together at last, they embarked on a life filled with their mutual love for travel and dogs, making the most of local foodie group memberships, and scoring fabulous finds on Facebook Marketplace.

David and Veronica shared homes together in Reston, Virginia, and League City, Texas, creating a tapestry of memories that, even though cut short by his illness, will forever be cherished by those who knew them together.

David was a supportive husband to Veronica and step-father to her two children, Gabby Bookbinder of Houston, Texas, and Jacob Rispler of Burlington, Vermont. Previously a father only to four-legged pets, he greatly enjoyed this new role. David is survived by his father, Robert E Pickeral of McLean, Virginia, his brother, Robert T Pickeral (Ashley) of Atlanta, Georgia, their children Benjamin and Campbell, and his first wife Oxana K Pickeral of Charlotte, North Carolina. He is predeceased by his mother, Patricia H Pickeral.

As we reflect on David’s life, let us remember him as a man of honor, integrity, and resilience. His legacy lives on in the hearts of those who were fortunate to know him, and his impact on the lives and organizations he touched will endure through the memories we hold dear.

In honoring David, we celebrate a life well lived. May he find eternal peace, and may his memory continue to inspire us all.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider donating to your favorite charity or supporting the Sarcoma Foundation of America ( https://www.curesarcoma.org/ )

David will be interred at Harmony Grove Baptist Church, 7722 General Puller Highway, Locust Hill, Virginia on October 17th in the Hurley family plot, where his mother’s parents are at rest. Further details forthcoming.

A memorial gathering will be held at J. Gilbert’s at 6930 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, Virginia on October 19th. Further details forthcoming.