David Musial

David Musial passed away peacefully after a short illness on August 22, 2024 on Hilton Head. He was 87.

Dave was born on July 12, 1937 in Brooklyn, NY to his parents Lois and Joe. He was raised in an artistic household where his talents were encouraged by his father who drew the Sunday comic strip The Katzenjammer Kids. Dave received his B.A. in Fine Arts from Indiana University where he played baseball as a sophomore, drew editorial cartoons for the school newspaper and was a member of the R.O.T.C. He served in the Army Reserves and was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain in 1969.

David married Marty Anderson, wife of 61 years, in 1963. They moved from New York to Chicago in 1968, where Dave pursued a career producing television commercials. He retired in 1999 as an Art Director/Executive Producer and Vice President at Leo Burnett.  Over his 30+ year career he produced hundreds of commercials for Kelloggs, Mr. Coffee, Mr. Clean, Head & Shoulders, Miller Lite, McDonald’s, United Airlines, Marlboro and many more. He worked with directors and celebrities such as Tony and Ridley Scott, Hoyt Axton and Joe DiMaggio. Dave received many awards, including 3 Clio Awards, and a Cannes Gold Lion Award.

Upon retirement, Dave and Marty moved to Hilton Head where Dave settled into a life of golf, making art, relaxing on the back porch with a chilled glass of red wine, watching the hummingbirds, enjoying ice cream sundaes and making his family laugh. Dave designed the logo for the Golden Bear Golf Club and the Hilton Head Humane Association. He also handcrafted award trophies for the HHI Concours d’Elegance and taught cartooning courses at the Boys and Girls Club of Hilton Head. His friends and family knew him for his quietly silly sense of humor and the many cartoons he drew for all the people and places he loved. You will find his work hanging in The Squat and Gobble, Harold’s Diner and probably in your house, if you knew him. Dave’s greatest pleasure in life was being surrounded by his doting grandchildren.

David is predeceased by grandson Zakary. He is survived by his wife, Marty, daughter Amy, son John, grandchildren Niklas, Skylar, Rhett and Ben, and his dog Lulu. 

A private celebration of Dave’s life will be held with family and close friends. 

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Operation Patriots FOB whose mission is to support veterans and first responders. Go to opfob.org or opfob.charityproud.org/Donate.