Obituary
David J. Ben-Dov, 53, of Northbook, IL, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2025, after a courageous battle with brain cancer. He was the beloved husband and best friend of Dr. Dana (nee Mantell) for 28 wonderful years; loving father to daughters Talia and Rachel; adored son of Eitan and Barbara; dear brother of Adena (Jerry) Lubelchek; loving uncle of Harvey Lubelchek; adored son-in-law of Pam Mantell; much loved nephew of Yoram (Patricia) and Paul (Sandy) Sabin; treasured cousin and friend to his many cousins worldwide, and devoted dog dad to Sally the golden retriever.
David, affectionately known as “Dave” was an alumni of the University of Illinois, where he met his beloved Dana. Dave went on to complete law school at Chicago Kent College of Law, marry his college sweetheart and become “an amazing girl dad” to Talia and Rachel. He was a partner at the law firm of Golan, Christie and Taglia as well as a highly respected business litigator. While he was passionate about the practice of law, he always made time for his cherished family, from coaching their soccer teams to attending their many ice skating performances. Dave was also passionate about his Judaism and was a lifetime member of Congregation Beth Shalom.
Dave loved travel and for nearly 20 years, Sanibel Island, FL, was a particularly special place for him and his family. Nearest and dearest to his heart was Israel. David’s love for Israel began in part due to his grandfather, who, as a Polish Holocaust orphan, resided there for many decades, and the loving influence of Dave’s father, Eitan Ben-Dov, who is a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen. His love for Israel became even stronger through his time at Jewish summer Camp Ramah and when he studied at Hebrew University, then he later gained dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship.
Dave’s raucous sense of humor, gift for public speaking and contagious smile gave him the ability to resonate with people in both his profession and his personal life. His brave and inspiring battle with glioblastoma led him to advocate for the Israel Cancer Research Foundation and Brain Up, where he was a speaker on many occasions. David’s longtime motto was “enjoy every moment,” and even as he fought relentlessly, he found the strength to travel, attend numerous family events, visit relatives in Israel and enjoy several trips with Dana and the girls.
David touched so many lives, and his charm, warmth, intelligence and wit will all be dearly missed.
Memorial donations may be made to Camp Ramah Wisconsin Scholarship Fund,
give.ramahwisconsin.com
to help children in need experience Jewish summer camp, or to Brain Up Cancer Foundation
www.brainup.ngo/donations/donate, which funds brain cancer research in the metro Chicago area.
Chapel service will be held Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. CST at Shalom Memorial Funeral Home at 1700 W. Rand Road, Arlington Heights, IL, followed by interment at Shalom Memorial Park. To view a livestream of Dave’s service, for shiva information and to share condolences, visit www.shalommemorial.org or (847) 255-3520.