David Rittenhouse Wolcott

Schodack- David Rittenhouse Wolcott, cherished husband, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on July 15, 2026 at Albany Medical Center after experiencing a stroke. Born on December 17, 1949, in Mt. Holly, New Jersey, David lived a life marked by a profound curiosity, a deep commitment to his work, an acerbic wit, and a love for his family and friends.

David was the beloved son of John and Margaret Pearce Wolcott, who predeceased him. He is survived by his devoted wife of 43 years, Caroline Leising, whom he married on July 16, 1983, at her family home on the shores of Lake Erie in Angola, New York. Together, they built a life rich with travel, sailing, and shared laughter. David also leaves behind his loving sister, Judy Brookhart, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and close friends, each of whom cherished his wisdom, passion and wit.

A graduate of Moorestown High School in 1968, David's educational journey was punctuated by adventures across the United States, ultimately leading him to earn his B.A. in Technology and Public Policy from Dartmouth College. His professional life was distinguished by his dedicated work supporting environmental sustainability. David retired after a 25-year career in the energy field, where he served as a leader in developing policies that supported renewable energy and energy efficiency.

His working life began as a White House intern in the office of environmental policy at the U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration where he managed a contract to study the environmental impacts of decentralized energy technologies. As a project manager at International Business Services, Inc. he designed and implemented a communication program and conducted a national evaluation of the appropriate technology small grants program for the U.S. Department of Energy.

David spent over ten years at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) where he managed 30 energy research projects worth $15 million in contracts. He implemented utility programs in demand-side management, energy performance contracting and independent power production. He was a co-founder and president of the Demand-Side Management Training Institute that ran energy efficiency programs.

Switching gears he then moved back to Washington, D.C. employed by Hagler Bailly, Inc. under contract to the U.S. Agency for International Development. He served as consultant on energy efficiency and utility planning in a number of the post-communist countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union (Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia), as well as some projects in Mexico and the Philippines.

David spent three years as resident Chief of Party in Kyiv with his wife implementing energy sector restructuring and regulatory reform programs in Ukraine funded by USAID and the World Bank. He directed teams of technical advisors working with senior business and government officials to reform Ukraine's electric sector to operate according to market principles.

He was most proud of serving as the US leader on the team with senior G-7 and World Bank advisors that closed down the two remaining nuclear reactors at Chernobyl ten years after the disaster there.

His work was guided by a deep commitment to global cooperation. Shortly before being struck down by debilitating cancer in 2000, he completed his last project which was to establish the national energy regulatory authority in Mongolia.

David was a man of many passions and interests. He and his wife designed and built their passive solar, energy efficient home (along with David's father) in 1986 in Schodack, NY. In retirement he participated in numerous groups in the Capital District, and was known for his environmental and peace activism. As a descendant of Oliver Wolcott, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, David proudly participated in the annual reading of this historic document every July 4th in Nassau, NY.

His love for sailing took Caroline and him on countless adventures across the Chesapeake Bay, Lake Champlain, the Georgian Bay and the North Channel in Ontario, as well as the waters of Maine. At home, they found shared joy in cultivating a garden that not only sustained them throughout the year but also provided for many grateful friends. David's insatiable curiosity led him to explore diverse stacks of books, magazines, and the wealth of educational programs on PBS. He had a particular fascination with space and approached every challenge, including those arising from his battle with cancer, as an opportunity for learning and growth.

The family requests that in memory of David's eclectic interests, donations be made to a charity of your choice, particularly those focused on medicine, world hunger, or political organizations whose mission connects with sustainable development and peace.

David's life was a testament to the power of curiosity, courage, and indomitable optimism in the face of many physical challenges. He leaves behind a legacy of learning and commitment to making the world a better place. He will be deeply missed, yet his spirit lives on in the hearts of all who knew him.

A celebration of David's life will take place at a later time.