David Spivak was born November 19, 1893 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; the family moved to Denver three years later. His father, Dr. C.D. Spivak, was a prominent physician and one of the founders of the Jewish Consumptive Relief Society (JCRS). Both of David's parents were active in Denver's large Jewish community and helped found the Intermountain Jewish News. As a child, David attended Denver public schools, playing football for South High School back when that game was really rough.

Once past high school and a brief stint at the University of Denver, Spivak headed east to the Art Institute of Chicago. While in that city his teachers included Wellington J. Reynolds and John R. Morton. After two years, Spivak headed on to New...