John "David" Womeldorff

It is with a full heart and deep sadness that we share the sudden passing of David Emerald Womeldorff, beloved friend, teacher, partner, and the creator of TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic). David died quietly of a heart attack at his home on April 16. He was resting in his favorite chair, calm and at peace.

In the last few weeks of his life, we were lucky to hear David reflect on how grateful he was for the people he loved and how fulfilled he was with his work and contributions to the world. Tens of thousands knew David by his pen name, David Emerald, as the author of his global best-selling books, The Power of TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic) and 3 Vital Questions: Transforming Workplace Drama.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, David was a graduate of Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Early on, David imagined himself as a high school history teacher, but he eventually earned a master’s degree in applied behavioral science and discovered a calling in organizational psychology. He was Senior Development Officer for Bank One, leading their executive and management training programs. In 2016, David was honored by the Wright State College of Liberal Arts Outstanding Alumni award, and in 2018, he was given the University of Notre Dame Excellence in Leadership award.

In 2003, David moved to the Pacific Northwest, where he made a home for the remainder of his life, although he never stopped traveling back to Ohio for long weeks with his brothers and other beloved family members.

David was a deeply spiritual man, writing and knowing the truth of his divine essence. He also loved sports almost as much as he loved people. He was first an Ohio State Buckeyes football fan and followed the Cincinnati Bengals. Each Sunday, he and his brothers would have a “virtual living room,” texting back and forth with each play.

Music was also a great passion of his. He leaves behind a tall wall of CDs and spoke regularly about the time he saw the Eagles play in a small venue in Dayton, Ohio, before they made it big. More recently, David fell in love with pickleball as both a player and volunteer, and loved that pickleball was “invented” on Bainbridge Island, WA.

Beyond the many lives he touched through his work and play, David was a much-loved brother, uncle, and Papi. He is survived by his brothers Tom and wife Julie, Don and wife Glenda, and nephews Brandon, Justin, Jeffrey, and Joseph and their families, all of Ohio. His former wife Donna Zajonc of Bainbridge Island, stepdaughter McKenzie Zajonc and husband Bill, granddaughter Charley Mae and grandson Huck of Kingston, WA, and stepdaughter Morgan Zajonc of Portland, Oregon. Being Charley and Huck’s “Papi” brought him unparalleled joy.

A Celebration of David’s life will be held at Grace Episcopal Church, 8595 NE Day Road, Bainbridge Island, WA, at 2 PM, Thursday, June 5, which would have been his 71st birthday. Arrangements have been made by Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island.

Donations to David’s scholarship fund are welcome. This fund has been established to support youth to have access to David’s unique training and facilitation methods. Donations may be made HERE.