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David Franklin Noble

David Noble Obituary

NOBLE, David Franklin - Passed away suddenly in Toronto on December 27, 2010, David F. Noble was an internationally acclaimed scholar and courageous activist, most recently on the faculty of York University. Born in New York City, he had held positions at MIT, the Smithsonian Institution and Drexel University, as well as many visiting professorships. Dave prized truth, justice and integrity and he often found himself in conflict with powers-that-be. His numerous books challenged core ideas and major institutions of technology, science, corporate capitalism and higher education. As a relentless activist against injustice, he took the risks that no one else would take. Despite his public persona, Dave was an intensely sweet, loving and compassionate person, a proud father of three talented daughters, and a passionately loving husband who celebrated life. He treasured his summers in the Vermont woods with his family, his many devoted friends, colleagues and allies, and the transcendent pleasure of music and nature. Dave is survived by his wife Sarah Dopp of Toronto; daughters Clare O'Connor of Toronto, Helen O'Connor of Toulon, France and Alice O'Connor of Vancouver, BC; sister Jane Pafford of Arcadia, Florida; brothers Doug Noble of Rochester, New York and Henry Noble of Seattle, Washington. A public memorial service will be announced in the coming weeks.

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Published by Toronto Star on Dec. 30, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for David Noble

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28 Entries

Meagan Ferriss

January 26, 2011

so sorry for your loss Sarah! The few memories i have of Dave will be cherished. Love you and miss you. You will be in my prayers.
Love your little cuz
<3 Meg

Bonnie Fauman

January 18, 2011

I knew David as a lively high-school student, and kept up with his doings through family. What a tragic sudden end. My heart goes out to his family.

Frank Field

January 11, 2011

My deepest condolences, from one of David's MIT students from the Technology and Policy Program. I remember his time in the Proseminar, sparring with Tom Sheridan and Marvin Sirbu, as one of the most valuable components of my graduate education in the Program --- one that I refer to frequently as Director of Education of TPP now. He immeasurably enhanced my time in TPP, and I am very sorry for your loss.

January 7, 2011

It was a sincere pleasure to have worked and learn from you. Que en paz descanses.
Pablo Vivanco
York University

Ted Daniels

January 7, 2011

I'll miss you, Dave, for your unfailing good nature and your righteous rage at power and its eternal abuse. I last saw you in Danville last summer, at the farmer's market where we talked long of our past and the unfailing epidemic of greed and stupidity we see around us.

For your lovely family: my deepest regret at your too-soon passage. But you left us all stronger.

January 6, 2011

Thank you Dr. Noble for your bravery, your truth and your beautiful mind.
~ your students

Peter Cole

January 4, 2011

We have lost a great man whose courage compassion and determination are an example to us all ... my thoughts and my heart go out to Sarah Clare and family and friends...David has done so much for us all in so many ways his memory gives us strength and determination kukwstumlhkacw

Haideh Moghissi

January 4, 2011

York University lost a prominent scholar and a person of principles and courage. I got to know David Noble during the 1997 faculty strike. He had such a strong and inpiring presence. He will be missed.

Elaine Bernard

January 3, 2011

So sorry to hear about David's passing. David took on some mighty institutions and was an inspiration with his scholarship and activism.

December 31, 2010

To David's famaily and love ones:
May David's good deeds, and his love of justice to cushion your tremendous lost; David will live on in the thoughts of the mulitude of people he as impacted including his students. My condolences to the family.

Kirk Atkinson

Dr. Steve Levinson

December 31, 2010

Hello Sarah.....I was of course shocked to hear of David's passing from Wayne and Margaret and I wanted to say how sorry I was. Those of us who knew David will never forget him. He was brilliant, passionate, witty and devoted to his ideals and his family. Although I was peripherally aware of David's academic achievements and activist activities it was mainly as a friend and physician that I knew him. I haven't seen you or David for several years but I do remember first meeting you when David and you attended one of my art exhibits. I remember how happy you were together and I realize how difficult this must be for you right now. If there is anything I can do please let me know. Please pass on my condolences to his family.

Lawrin Armstrong

December 31, 2010

I can't tell you how sorry I am to get this news. The world is a poorer place without him. All sympathy to Sarah.
Lawrin

Pablo Idahosa

December 31, 2010

David was a remarkable, innovative,first rate scholar who had a unique and unwavering commitment to difficult and unfashionable causes, and to student rights and the honesty and integrity of Universities and scholarship. A huge loss.

Gordon Shean

December 30, 2010

I often waited for the class to empty so I could walk with Dave to a spot on campus to repose and chat, or else see him off to the bus (as he often wanted hurry off campus). He was a sensitive man. More than almost anyone I know, he allowed himself to be vulnerable to words and music, and lived what he believed. We discovered that we both had gone through a phase of listening to classical music for about four straight years, immersing ourselves in every possible interpretation of a single piece, reading up on the different composers. "How is it that when Bach ends his phrase by hitting this one note you just break down crying? How does that happen?" So passionate and vigorous, a kind of brimming pleasant childishness (and a squeaky laugh!), he kept things playful, and yet, standing beside him, I felt a little in awe of his simplicity of confidence, as if beside a great and ancient oak, in full possession of itself. After every encounter I would walk away refreshed thinking yes yes that is really what it is to be alive.

John Kaufmann

December 30, 2010

David was a wonderful wildman. Utterly fearless in the face of injustice and hypocrisy. It is a shock to learn ofhis death.

Vanessa Moraless

December 30, 2010

Dave Noble not only inspired the new generation to critically think and act out against injustice but he passed on his skills without any hesitation, ego or motive. I, along with many others, have become who they are because of him. He will be missed and the world has truly faced a great loss.

natalia jakubek

December 30, 2010

An amazing professor! Dave took his tenureship at York seriously, invoking critical thinking in his students with experiential, community based learning and a joyful, wholehearted approach to changing the scene for the better. A ground breaking role model for students and teachers alike. My condolences to the family.

Das Sydney

December 30, 2010

Sarah - in my brief meeting with David, he struck me as a gracious, fun-loving and thoughtful man. Little did I know of his brilliance and passions. What a great loss to you, and to the whole human family. We extend to you our deepest condolences. Das Sydney

Fidelia (Lita) Torres

December 30, 2010

My deepest condolences, specially to the girls. I will always remember David with much love and gratitude. He had a brilliant mind and also a splendid laughter. Fidelia (Lita) Torres

Paul Alves

December 30, 2010

The world has lost a strong voice in social justice. David, you will be missed my friend.

Meg Luxton

December 30, 2010

David used his formidable skills as a researcher and scholar to fight for the causes he believed in.

Larry Haiven

December 30, 2010

Canada has lost an intrepid fighter for social justice.

Patricia McDermott

December 30, 2010

David will be remembered for his brilliant scholarship and his dedication to critical political analysis and activism.

December 30, 2010

"I knew David only as one of the important scholars of the 20th century, a fellow contributor to panels, and an intelligent and caring mind at the other end of the telephone. His passing feels nevertheless like a great personal loss." Philip Regal, Professor Emeritus

Indhu Rajagopal

December 30, 2010

In this perplexed age, your clear and profound thoughts and expressions will be sorely missed. May your family and friends be comforted by the outpouring of thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

Linda Peake

December 30, 2010

You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Professor Merle Jacobs

December 30, 2010

Your work will live on forever, you will be missed at York University.

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Memorial Events
for David Noble

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