David Binger H1948 (d2026) – K46, K47, K48

David and I reconnected in January this year to talk about the passing of George Lodge and whether he could attend the reunion. He indicated that he was wheelchair bound but that he would attend the Memorial Service via Zoom, which he did in March with his usual exuberance!

On our call, he spent some time reflecting on his time at Harvard. He said he was more of an artist than a student, and perhaps he should have gone to the Rhode Island School of Design. And he talked about how he thought the club system wasn’t good for the mental health of the students – though they set you up with a great social life. He also said, “I wish the Kroks had stayed truer to the kind of music we sang at the beginning. I’ve said it a million times, I know, but I really feel that way. It would be great if, before I die (I’ll be 100 in 2027), they would learn one and come sing it for me!”

So, inspired by his wish, four of us from the Kroks of 1985 decided to visit him at his assisted living facility in Hanover, NH, and drove north from Cambridge on June 3, 2026. Of course, in true Binger style, he asked us to sing some tunes from the Yale Songbook. So, we sourced one through some Whiff buddies and, during our two-and-a-half-hour journey to Hanover in a self-driving Tesla, prepared Aura Lee, Bandolero, Graceful and Easy/Mavoureen, Strike up the Bank, and The Old Songs. We sang all of them along with him, some repeatedly, and he absolutely loved it.

And after we sang for him in front of his home, we chased after him as he sped over in his power wheelchair to the community center where we sang for the staff his favorite, The Old Songs.

While David could often be cantankerous, he had a heart of solid gold, especially for his beloved Kroks. He often repeated his well-worn story of the founding of the Kroks, bound up with his closeness with the Whiffenpoofs of that era, whom he credits with motivating him to start a similar group at Harvard. He was extremely proud that in 2009 they made him a member of the Whiffenpoofs of 1949, and he showed off their official proclamation during our visit.  Two of his closest friends from that group, Brewster Barton (whom he met in Navy bootcamp armed with his Yale Songbook) and Kemmerer Edwards (who taught him to sing bass), attended and were honored at our 60th Reunion. That reunion was especially important because it was the last time all four of our founders – David Binger, David Biddle, Frank Cabot and Arthur Nichols, III, were together.  It was a joy to sing with him during his last weeks, and he had all the energy that we had come to know from him since the day we met him at our fall retreat up in New Hampshire back in September of 1984.

And, when he was ready to go, as his Whiff brothers would say, he let himself “pass and be forgotten with the rest.” We’d like to think that he took with him those “good old harmonies,” memories of his buddies in the Whiffs and the Kroks, and a great big smile.  A modest man, he didn’t want a funeral or gathering of any kind. His ashes will be scattered in New Hampshire and Rhode Island, but there will not be a grave or a plaque or anything public. He will be remembered for having many friends and a good, long life, and for being a firecracker of a human being with an incredible, long-lasting legacy. He was a complete rascal to the end, our founder, and the most defining Krok ever.

Nunc est cantandum to our brother Binger. May you rest in peace.

Steve Dostart K84, 85, with input from Toby Burns K03

When the Kroks of 1962 decided to organize the first Krok reunion, Dave Binger helped immensely with our “discovery” of the people who were in the group in the early years.  We had at hand no archive, no  master list, hardly a clue as to the names. Three early phonograph records with group photos on the cover had given us a start, but beyond that there was nothing. Then along came Dave! I was lucky to meet him in the fall of 1961, at a dinner gathering of a group of Boston-area singers in their thirties and forties. He told me how he had been involved in the founding of the Kroks and when I told him about our quest, he immediately offered to help track down the early members. He was so enthusiastic about the idea of a reunion that we in Krok 62 were more determined than ever to carry our plan forward. Shortly, Dave supplied me with a preliminary list of names as well as contact information of key people. Other alumni picked up his enthusiasm and joined in the search. Eventually, in the spring, we were ready for the reunion.  Out went the invitations. Many early Kroks signed up.  It was such a moment for us of K62 to meet the historic members! Toasts were proposed and songs sung. The brotherhood took shape. Bigger and grander reunions followed over the years, of course, but this one was the beginning.  Dave made it possible.

Jim Paul K62, 63

He was a great guy, comfortable in his own skin, funny, opinionated, and deeply caring about the Kroks. I know a lot of us have had images, anecdotes, and many arcane and curious CDs sent to us over the years, which I hope we will all share in the near future.

Peter Lerangis K75, 76, 77

Bing was an extraordinary man and I sang with him quite often in Woodstock, VT, with his friend from Dartmouth, Orton Hicks, one of the founders of the Dartmouth Aires. He and his pals were responsible for so much of what has happened to me in my life, by creating the Kroks, and I’m truly grateful that I got to spend time with him and thank him in person.

Max Comins K73

RIP, David! What a fantastic guy and profound legacy.
Loved getting to know him.

Toby Burns, K03

Being 84, I imagine that making it to 98 was not easy, and, with condolences to his loved ones, I thank and congratulate him as well as them for his historic legacy to us all!

Allen Burns, K61, 63, 63

Grateful that you guys made him part of the 80th and that he left with that happy legacy.

Lynn Weigel, K70