David W. BACON

BACON, David W.
September 12, 1935 - April 13, 2014
Peacefully, on the evening of Sunday, April 13, 2014, in the Intensive Care Unit of the Belleville General Hospital, surrounded by his family. David W. Bacon of East Lake Road, Picton, Ontario. Beloved and cherished husband of Grace Bacon (née Schwarten), and the late Lucille (née Parks), adoring father to Ann Marie (Dan) and Eric (Julie), doting grandfather to Sarah, David, Holly and Hannah, and step-grandfather to Olivia, Ava, Cole and Reed. Caring brother to Beverley and Douglas. Predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Eleanor Bacon. Exceptional teacher, administrator, researcher, author and mentor. David was born in Peterborough, Ontario, and attended the University of Toronto, where he graduated with a B.A.Sc. in Engineering Physics in 1957. He then went on to achieve his M.S. and Ph.D. in Statistics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison under the supervision of noted statistician, the late George E.P. Box. David was a professor of Chemical Engineering at Queen's University for over 25 years, where he pioneered the integration of statistics in engineering education. He was well-loved by the generation of undergraduate and graduate students that he taught and supervised, as is evident in the many heartfelt letters we have gratefully received. David was Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science at Queen's from 1980-1991, during which time he championed the integration of microcomputers in engineering education at Queen's, and worked tirelessly to encourage more women to pursue engineering. He enjoyed his teaching immensely, as well as his research and consulting activities in the field of statistical quality control, continual improvement, and model estimation. He eventually formed his own consulting firm, which allowed him the pleasure of frequent travel and the opportunity to consult with those in his field both in North America and abroad. David was the recipient of many awards over the years, including the D.G. Fisher Award for major contributions to the field of systems and control awarded by the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering, the Ontario Council of University Faculty Associations Award for excellence in teaching, and the Distinguished Service Award from Queen's University. We believe his 'Golden Apple' awards for excellence in teaching from the Queen's Engineering Society were among those he treasured the most. He often said that the great loves of his life were his family, his work, and the many opportunities he was afforded to teach and to travel. We will miss him greatly. The family would like to thank the wonderful doctors, nurses and other staff in the Intensive Care Units of the Belleville and Kingston General Hospitals who cared for David and who provided all of us with compassion and excellent care. A memorial service will be held at the James Reid Funeral Home (1900 John Counter Blvd., Kingston, Ontario), on Saturday, May 3, 2014, at 2:00 p.m., with reception to follow. The family would like to request that those attending the service please refrain from the use of fragrances due to a severe allergy in the family. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Lung Association, or to the Kingston General Hospital, the Belleville General Hospital, or the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital would be appreciated. www.jamesreidfuneralhome.com