T. DAVID UNDERWOOD

T. DAVID UNDERWOOD, P.Eng, FASHRAE (February 18, 1941 – September 3, 2025) David was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, the only child of Jacobina (Axdal) and Norman. He spent his childhood fishing, trapping, exploring, boxing, curling and playing football and hockey. He loved his experience of becoming a Queen Scout and travelling to jamborees in Niagara and UK – a big deal for a small-town prairie boy. David graduated from the University of Manitoba in Civil engineering. After starting his HVAC&R career in Wisconsin, Hamilton, and New Brunswick, he settled in Montreal with his new wife Jane (Gautschi). There, they were founding members of the Ridgewood Get to know Montreal and the World Better Club where they made lifelong friends with whom they skied, camped, cottaged, travelled and caused a ruckus – even though he never did learn the ukulele. In 1970, their first child, Kristen, was born in Montreal; soon after they moved to Toronto, where Kathryn was born, then Mississauga. Always looking for new experiences, David and Jane played tennis and bridge and joined Caledon Ski Club. David was a successful entrepreneur founding Isotherm Engineering in the basement of their house. This meant he was usually home for lunch with his children. David made many contributions to his professional community through ORAC, HRAI and ASHRAE (Toronto chapter, then International President in 2015-16). His theme was "Making Connections" and anyone who met him would know he was genuinely engaged in the world with warmth and passion – especially if it involved current events or ASHRAE standards. These topics were appreciated by his latest club, The Dinosaurs, an international group of friends who met weekly online. Through this work and other opportunities David and Jane travelled the world sharing knowledge and learning so much more from all the people they met and places he saw. The last 30 years of his life were spent in Oakville, where he roamed the community stopping to chat with his many friends and neighbours. As an active member of his community, he engaged the local leading politicians, served on the Oakville Accessibility Advisory Committee, and made friends with the cashiers at the grocery store and in the local cafés. His life was a testament to participation and friendship as true markers of inclusivity. David loved a good dinner party or lunch and conversation. David is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jane Underwood; daughters, Kristen (Scott Nowlan) and Kathryn (Jay Friedman); and grandchildren, Joshua, Erica, Madeline, Henri and George. Always the last to be wearing his paper crown at Christmas, his spark will never go out. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 11th, at Oakview Funeral Home, located at 56 Lakeshore Rd. W., Oakville, at 2:00 p.m., with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in David's memory to MS Canada-Research or The Fare Share Food Bank. Online condolences may be offered at oakviewfuneral.ca.