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David Teller Obituary
David C. Teller, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, friend, mentor, naturalist, outdoorsman, University of
Washington Emeritus Professor,
died peacefully in early February 2019. He was 80. He lived a full life. We miss him.
He was a long-standing member of the Department of Biochemistry, who started as an Assistant Professor in 1965 and worked for the next 40 years in "physical biochemistry," identifying the exact chemical structure of biological proteins. His research was capped by the definitive description of blood-clotting proteins, including "Factor 13," and rhodopsin-one of the proteins in the human eye that captures light. He will be remembered by many students for his teaching in the non-major undergraduate biochemistry course, and by his graduate students. They said "He was a damn good analytical scientist and very supportive of his graduate students (including me)." "Dave gave me my start, my foundation; a physical appreciation for scientific methods and understanding. On top of this, Dave was one of the nicest most helpful colleagues to anyone who asked.... Put quite simply, I think all of us who knew Dave respected and loved him."
He shared a deep and lifelong love of nature with his family, friends, and colleagues as well, in every season. Skiing, backpacking, sailing, and fishing were his favorite pastimes. He knew the Cascades and Puget Sound well, and it may be little or no exaggeration to claim he knew the names of every bird, fish, animal, and plant to be found around here, along with most rocks, mosses, and lichen. He was devoted to his family, and shared with them his great love of nature and his boundless curiosity. He sparked that same curiosity in others.
He was humble, and kind. He was interested in what you had to say, and always ready to talk. He was rarely bored. He was a giant in the eyes of his children. He treated others as his equals.
His close friend of 40 years passed ten days before him and in our hearts they are not gone, but gone fishing. We hope and pray the nature of life is such that we will see Dave Teller again hereafter. Just don't expect him to be waiting around - he'll be busy exploring, and eager to show us his discoveries.
A Memorial Service is scheduled for March 30, 2019, at 1:00 pm with a reception to follow at
University Lutheran Church,
1604 NE 50th St, Seattle, WA 98105
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for David Teller
Sponsored by The Family.
David Gordon
February 3, 2022
I miss you, Dave.
Linda D Brewer
December 4, 2020
I worked for him for a time as his secretary in the Biochemistry Department. He was so hardworking and pleasant. I'm sorry he's gone. The world needs more people like him.
Tim Bayburt
June 7, 2019
David Teller was a memorable professor. Thank you. An anecdote. He said that when he drove near the Husky stadium and heard the crowd roar that he felt shaken, shaken like he was about to speak in front of a large lecture hall. Yet he was great in front of a large lecture hall.
Gerald Reeck
June 6, 2019
Dave was a genius, a huge inspiration to me (starting when I was a grad student on the same floor as his lab), a great collaborator, a wonderful person. His death will sadden me for ever.
Tianyun Liu
March 20, 2019
A respectful mentor of mine who always encouraged me to do good science.
Vivien Yee
March 19, 2019
What memorable years I spent as part of the UW crew solving the crystal structure of fXIII, or as Dave called it, "the Most Important Molecule in the World." Dave was such an inspiring boss. He was as excited by any new progress as the student or postdoc at the bench. Dave tackled the calculations with gusto. And he could cite scientific literature like nobody's business. Dave was also such a supportive mentor. I will always be grateful for my time in Dave's lab, and for the privilege of learning from him.
Trisha Davis
March 19, 2019
A great colleague, always willing to help solve your troubling physical biochemistry problems!
March 17, 2019
Miss you, dad.
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