David was a loving husband to Judith and proud father of Margareta and Hugh.  He will be remembered by many OWB as one of the founding members of the West Buckland Veterans Rifle Club and served for many years as President, shooting regularly at Bisley.  He also served terms as both President of the OWBA and Secretary of the OWBA and held the Association together during some difficult times.  Additionally, he ran the London dinner for a period.  

He had lots of happy memories of West Buckland particularly his rugby and cross country runs so perhaps it is fitting that his passing coincided with this year's Exmoor Run. 

His funeral took place on April 17th in Teddington and was attended on behalf of the Association by Michael Downward and Geoff Bayles.  During the service, grandson Art delivered the codicil from Delderfield's 1960 novel "Diana" as David was a great admirer of the works of fellow West Buckland alumnus, RF Delderfield.  His daughter, Margareta recalled "Daddy often eulogised about early morning cross country runs in below zero temperatures and rugby, knee deep in mud...Following his sporty school days he continued to enjoy the outdoors with long walks up hill and down dale on family holidays – I still remember getting lost amongst tall ferns and getting soaked to the skin walking across the cliffs to Beer.  Over the years Daddy pursued his creative writing by editing Teddington Tidings for the Teddington Society, Scoutlook for 2nd Teddington Scouts, and articles in his school’s Buckland Brief, and in his last years prolific poetic communication via email keeping up with his friends and family."   

David's son Hugh's smorgasbord of memories include "him dancing with my mother at jazz clubs and pubs, foraging for mushrooms in the fields of Devon, donning his green swimming trunks as soon as the English weather permitted...endless DIYing.There was very little in the house he could not or did not do himself or do well...(and) his incredible dedication to sandwich-making – concocting unfeasible and previously untried, yet delicious combinations of fillings that bamboozled the mind and dazzled audiences, not least my Grandma – his mother in law, Margaret - who just loved the mystery element of them."

David immersed himself in everything life had to offer, our community feels his loss and our sympathies are with his family.