David Aroner

February 23, 1942 - March 18, 2024

David Aroner, a passionate advocate for social justice and community organizing, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2024, in Berkeley, Calif., at the age of 82. Born on February 23, 1942, in Chicago, David was one of four children born to Rose Wolfe and Bill Aroner, during the tumultuous era of World War II.

David’s early life was marked by a strong sense of family and Jewish faith. Growing up in Chicago, his passion for activism and advocacy began to take root.

Arriving at the University of Michigan in 1960, David was primed to participate in the political life on campus, mainly through the Guild House, as the civil rights movement was heating up. David went south to Montgomery, Ala., with S.N.C.C., where he was arrested and jailed, culminating in a hunger strike while in jail. After graduating with a master’s in social work, David continued his journey as a community organizer, having been trained and inspired by Saul Alinsky, and became actively involved in the civil rights and labor movements.

In 1966, David moved to Calif., and soon began working for SEIU Local 535 where he focused on organizing public social workers, nurses, and mental health workers across the state. He eventually served as Executive Director of 535; growing the membership by 300 percent, and was appointed to the SEIU International Executive Board by then President John Sweeney, who would later become the President of the AFL-CIO. For the 25th anniversary of the union, David developed a cultural event featuring Harlem Renaissance artist Jacob Lawrence, and the folk singer, Utah Phillips. David was a trade unionist through and through, walking picket lines for many unions throughout the years. Sometimes this gentle soul got a little overzealous and found himself in jail in the name of justice for his sisters and brothers in their search for equity and respect.

David’s impact on the communities he served will be remembered fondly, as will his tireless dedication to creating a more just and equitable society. In 1998, David organized a Bay Area committee to celebrate the 100th birthday of Paul Robeson. More recently, using funds raised during that year, David approached the late Oakland Symphony Director, Michael Morgan, to commission an original composition focused on Robeson. Sadly, Morgan passed away before the premiere of ‘Hear I Stand’ by the Oakland Symphony earlier this year. David’s last outing before he died, was to be at the premiere of this beautiful composition, which will also be premiered next year at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.

David Aroner is survived by his wife of 51 years, Dion Schwartz Aroner; his siblings, Miriam Aroner, Michael Aroner, and Marcy Aroner; his children, Josh Aroner (Mary De Robles) and Danielle Aroner (Lawrence Chatmon); and his grandchildren, Peter Aroner,

Devon Aroner, Sophia Chatmon, and Isadora Chatmon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Doctors Without Borders or the Alameda County Food Bank.