In Memoriam: David Serls

David Serls, owner, board chair and chief operating officer of Columbia, Pennsylvania-based brass, bronze and copper ingot maker Colonial Metals Co. Inc., has died at the age of 82. In addition to helping oversee the ingot making firm, Serls formerly served as a national officer, including as president, of the Washington-based Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI).

According to an obituary posted by Palm City, Florida-based Forest Hills Palm City Chapel, Serls died from complications of pneumonia in what had become his home state of Florida.

The “Our History” page of the Colonial Metals website states the firm was founded in 1946 and quickly grew to become “one of the nation’s largest producers of copper-base alloy ingots.” The company grew to melt and recycle nearly 90 million pounds (45,000 tons) of scrap metal each year.

In addition to his business interests, Serls was an avid boater and sports fan and also devoted time and resources to political causes, including several supportive of Israel, according to the obituary.

Serls is survived by his wife, Denise Serls, five children, nine grandchildren and two grandchildren. The family has asked those who wish to make a donation in honor of Serls’ life do so by considering contributing to the United Jewish Appeal, the Jewish Federations or the National Kidney Foundation.