Bicyclist killed en route to memorial ride

If the unthinkable had to happen to a guy like David Rosenfeld, it would have played out this way.

On a bike. Doing good. Supporting people.

The 47-year-old husband, father of three, businessman and volunteer was fatally struck Saturday morning by a car while en route to a memorial bike ride for Jon Trevelise, a cyclist who also died after a driver ran over him last spring in Galveston.

The vice president of Unleaded Communications, a downtown Houston marketing and communications firm, was killed around 8 a.m. near the corner of Bissonnet and Newcastle.

Representatives from the Bellaire Police Department declined to release details or disclose whether there has been an arrest.

This weekend's loss - which adds another to the more than two dozen bicyclist deaths in Harris County in the last four years - shook the cycling community as well as the scores of people who loved and respected Rosenfeld.

'He was always cheery'

Danny Savitzky, co-owner of Planetary Cycles, a Meyerland bike shop, knew Rosenfeld from Houston's cycling universe and the local Jewish community.

"He was a good friend. He was always in a good mood. He was always cheery - even when he was under heavy deadlines and impossible chores. He always took it in good stride," said Savitzky, who also described Rosenfeld as a committed businessman and father as well as a cautious cyclist who valued safety. "I see some riders who are carefree and they do stupid things on the road. David was not that way. He was very aware of his surroundings. He was a very good cyclist and had very good bike handling skills and obeyed the laws of the road. That's what makes all of this even more unbelievable."

Dylan Powell, Unleaded's creative director, raved about Rosenfeld's versatility.

"He was just such a balanced guy. He could talk about everything. He had these vast pockets of expertise from working for all of these clients over the years," he said. "Everyone at work loved him. He was really smart, really creative and good with people."

Powell also said Rosenfeld was never too busy to mentor him and many others at the firm.

"He did a good job helping clients and leading projects, but he helped everyone grow and do their best work. I appreciate that about him."

Founding member

Rosenfeld also was a founding member of Congregation Shma Koleinu, which began in late 2013 and meets in the fellowship hall of a Bellaire church.

Laura Max Rose, a spokeswoman for the congregation, said the members are "tremendously thankful to the number of people who have reached out to help the Rosenfeld family."

She said that Rosenfeld was a "light" in the group.

"He came up with our name - Shma Koleinu, which means 'Hear our Voice.' He came up with our logo and did all of our graphic design for us. He wanted to create a space where people's voices could be heard and people had integrity," Rose said. "He was a pillar of our community. To say that he will be missed in an understatement."

Rosenfeld is survived by his wife, two sons and one daughter.

His funeral is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Congregation Beth Yeshurun, 4525 Beechnut.

Those wishing to support the Rosenfeld family may send checks payable to the David Rosenfeld Family Memorial Fund, c/o Congregation Shma Koleinu, P.O. Box 1808, Bellaire, TX 77402.