David U. Van Metre, honorary alumnus

Dave Van Metre died May 11, 2023, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was the lead donor for renovations that significantly improved Cornell’s stadium, which was dedicated in 2018 as Van Metre Field at Ash Park. 

A Mount Vernon native, Van Metre had extensive Cornell family connections—including his alumni parents, aunt, uncle, and brother, the late Douglas C. Van Metre ’50—as well as childhood memories of running and playing all around the Hilltop. 

“He always wanted to help Cornell,” said President Jonathan Brand. “At the same time, he was most excited when we had projects that benefitted both Mount Vernon and Cornell. Because he was such a believer in the power of sport to develop leaders, it comes as no surprise that facilities shared by the Mount Vernon Community School District and Cornell College were of greatest interest to Dave. Those projects brought Mount Vernon and the college closer together.”

Van Metre was an All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tight end for Colorado College and was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams. Following his football career and service in the Army, he and his wife, Carol, moved to Omaha in 1968, where he worked in municipal bonds. He ran the New York, Twin Cities, and Los Angeles marathons and had a life-long passion for fitness, taking pride in upgrading fitness facilities and athletic venues of schools and community centers in Omaha and Mount Vernon, including the Van Metre Family Softball Field shared by Mount Vernon High School and Cornell. 

He is survived by a son, Jim (Stacey), daughter-in-law Robin, and four grandchildren.