David Klass (1968-2025), Longtime Laughing Squid Partner, Relentless Entrepreneur and Beloved Friend
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It is with great sorrow that we share the heartbreaking news that longtime Laughing Squid partner and dear friend David Joseph Klass sadly passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025.
Yesterday I lost my best friend and @laughingsquid.com business partner, @davidklass.bsky.social. Over the last 40 years, David and I shared countless wonderful experiences that I will never forget. I was so lucky to have him as part of my life. He always dreamed big and was larger than life.
- Scott Beale (@scottbeale.xyz) 2025-02-12T17:12:03.245Z
This is a profound loss, not only to the company but to us personally. In fact, David played a big role in our very unique wedding.
shooting silly string at Scott and Lori's wedding - photo via Scott BealeScott and David go way back, meeting during high school in Centerville, Ohio and remaining the closest of friends until he passed. They moved to San Francisco together in 1992, starting the journey that led to so many great adventures in both of their lives. Later on, they reconnected in New York City for more adventures.
David and Scott with their twin VW Sciroccos - photo by Scott Beale
David in his Jaguar XKE in Scott's drive in the mid 1980s - photo by Scott Beale
David stopping at Fort Point in San Francisco during a bike ride - photo by Scott Beale
David and Scott at The Webby Awards pre-party in 2014 - photo via David Klass
David hanging out on our deck in Manhattan - photo by Scott Beale
Laughing Squid LLC partners John Law, David Klass and Jason Laskodi in NYC - photo by Scott BealeTo know David was to know that he dreamed big, had an infectious laugh, and was happy to make a giant pan of paella for anyone who dropped by. He truly embodied the spirit of generosity and would do anything for anyone he considered a friend.
photo by Scott BealeDavid Was a Relentless Entrepreneur
David doing a Riegele sponsorship at a Winslow Porter BBQ - photo by Scott BealeDavid was also an entrepreneur, having worked as a stock broker in San Francisco, a real estate developer in Dayton, Ohio, and an importer of Brauhaus Riegele, to the United States. This award-winning beer from Augsburg, Germany (Dayton's sister city) had never ventured out of the country until David came along to launch Riegele in the United States. The launch was so successful that Sierra Nevada partnered with Brauhaus Riegele for their 2015 Oktoberfest beer.
In a Dayton Daily News interview David talks about how he ended up importing Riegele during a Dayton Sister City trip.
Share with us the story of how it came about that you became a beer importer and began importing Brauhaus Riegele beers.
It's actually a great story that dates back to San Francisco and then-San Francisco Mayor, Willie Brown. But that's another story! In short, The Dayton Sister City trip to Augsburg in 2012 was the conduit to making it all happen. We took a guided tour of the Riegele brewery and I remember saying to the other committee members we need to bring this beer to Dayton for the Dayton-Augsburg 50th anniversary next year!"
the New York City launch of Riegele at Alphabet City Beer Co. - photo by Scott Beale
David in his Riegele office at a WeWork - photo by Scott BealeVi AquavitView this post on Instagram
David developed an appreciation for the traditional Nordic spirit Aquavit and went to work with his Norwegian partners to bring a modern version to the United States with a unique recipe created by Jorgen Dons, a renowned mixologist in Trondheim, Norway. This new spirit called Vi Aquavit won a number of tasting awards.
photo via David KlassView this post on InstagramDavid Loved New York City
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While David traveled around the world, he loved everything about New York City and its wonderful array of culture and great food in every neighborhood.
David at his beloved Katz's Deli - photo by Scott Beale
David with his daughters in Williamsburg, Brooklyn - photo by Scott BealeView this post on Instagram
View this post on InstagramDavid Was a Dog's (and All Animals) Best Friend
David never met a dog he didn't like. In fact, he was known to kiss dogs upon first meeting them. In fact, he loved all animals and had many unique pets, including several Burmese pythons, iguanas, chameleons and a ferret.
ChameleonDavid was also a big fan of pigs and goats. Scott would always send him any links when we posted about them.
photo by Scott Beale
photo by Scott Beale
photo by Scott Beale (one of Scott's favorite photos he took of David)
David's Green Iguana - photo by Scott Beale
one of David's Burmese pythons sleeping in his rave hat - photo by Scott BealeDavid Was a Master of the Art of MutlitaskingJason Laskodi Created a Wondeful Tribute to David KlassDavid was a truly unique person who was larger than life. And we will miss him terribly.
photo by Scott Beale
photo by Scott Beale
photo by Scott Beale
David meeting George Takei at The Webby Awards - photo by Scott Beale
David on top of Mount Diablo - photo by Scott Beale
David at the McIntosh House of Sound in NYC - photo by Scott Beale