David Laing

1937 - 2015

David D Laing

September 29, 1937 - September 18, 2015

David has moved on from the confines of a body that was failing him due to Parkinson's Disease, a thread that invaded the fabric of his life for the last decade or so. His soul is now free to wander wherever it may lead him. He leaves behind his sense of adventure, wonder, his curiosity, his richness of words, love of nature and poetry and compassion for people.

David grew up in northern New Jersey where he was free to explore the countryside finding the bounty of nature but he spent the majority of his life in Oregon and the northwest. His sister Rosalie still lives in New Jersey.

He was the loving husband of Susan for almost 40 years. He brought to her a deep love and a richness and balance in life that will live on in every fiber of her being.

He was the loving father of Carrie and Molly to whom he brought joy, wonder, adventure, humor and gentle caring.

His greatest interests in life were his family, poetry, nature, social justice and helping others, especially children. Over his life he did many things including teaching literature, labor organizing for the early days of the United Farm Workers, starting and running several daycare centers and finally working with children as a social worker, counselor. He was passionate about all he did and there were many who benefited from his work

Poetry was the strongest thread that ran through is life, always reading and writing. He published two chapbooks of poetry and co-edited a poetry magazine. It was in his poetry that he found true peace in life. His poem "Early Fall" seems to embody his love of nature and also his passing this early fall. Through his poetry and his spirit he will live on in his favorite places, like Minto-Brown Island Park, where this poem found him



Early Fall, by David Laing



near the slough

from the black cottonwood

a shower of yellow leaves



a dozen at a time

stems first

down the cool air



are they letting go

or being released

who knows



flat or folded or curled

the heart shaped leaves

try different paths



they float or spin or

rock from side to side

some tumble some dive



ahead of me now

the trail blanketed

a springy mat



the woods hushed

except for the tap

leaves make



landing on leaves

adding themselves

to the earth



We want to thank his caregiver Gus Perez for his kindness and support of David for the last couple of years. It is hard to imagine what we would have done without him.

There are so many to thank for support of David and our family, our amazing friends ever present at our sides.

David said he wanted to die "peacefully, completely and with a mouth full of poems" and he did.

In Honor of David contributions can be made to the United Farm Workers or Willamette River Keepers.

We will have a gathering of friends in his honor at the home of Ted and Cindy Gaty, email for directions. Sclaing123@gmail.com or ckgaty@gmail.com