DAVID STANDLEY Obituary

STANDLEY, David David died peacefully at home on December 11, at the age of 95. David spent the first 49 years of his long life in Beverly, where he and wife Muriel raised their four children. After four years in Denver working for the US EPA, they lived in Ipswich for many years, and eventually Brooksby Village in Peabody. Dave was a graduate of Tufts College and Harvard Graduate School of Public Health with degrees in civil engineering and public health, a former naval officer, and had a long career in environmental management. His passion for environmental protection showed in his career and his volunteer activities throughout his life. He managed environmental agencies and programs for the City of Boston, the Massachusetts DEP, where he served as Commissioner, and the US EPA. After leaving government service, he spent nearly 2 decades as consultant to the City of Quincy on the Boston Harbor Project; as well as the Logan Airport Community Advisory Committee. He served as member and chair of several Ipswich committees notably its Conservation Commission, and was the moving force behind the 2000 Ipswich Open Space, Recreation and Water Supply Protection bond authorization. He is honored by the MACC's David Standley Fund for Stormwater, Climate Change and Sea Level Rise. He was also an active member of the Trustee's Crane Reservation committee and the Ipswich River Watershed Association. At Brooksby Village he was active on the Resident Advisory Committee, Friends of the Ponds, and Climate Change Committee. Dave was also passionate about sailing, on water or ice. He grew up sailing, and owned a series of sailboats based in Beverly Harbor and later Bucks' Harbor, Maine, where he and family enjoyed long cruises among the islands of Penobscot Bay. He celebrated his 80th birthday at the helm of a 12-meter sailboat in Newport RI. Predeceased in April by Muriel, his wife of 72 years; David leaves his four children and their spouses: Lisa, Scott, Dana and Camille, and Neal and Linda; two grandchildren and their spouses: Jacob and Mikayla Standley, Julianne and Dallas Donovan; and his beloved great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Please consider contributions in his memory to the Ipswich River Watershed Association. Assisting the family with the arrangements is O'Donnell Cremations - Funerals - Celebrations, 167 Maple St. (Rte. 62), DANVERS. www.odonnellfuneralservice.com

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Published by Boston Globe from Dec. 13 to Dec. 15, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for DAVID STANDLEY

10 Entries

Sarah Simon

January 3, 2025

will be donating to David Standley Fund for Stormwater Climate Change and Sea Level Rise at the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions.

Sarah Simon

January 3, 2025

Joined DEQE a bit after David's time there, but was delighted to find that a fellow townsperson had been so active locally on the conservation commission. Heard the rumor that he helped pass our Commonwealth's Conservation Commission law, so towns could take or buy undeveloped lands, not just for parking lots or affordable housing, but also for conservation. Impressive legacy for the early atomic age, before Silent Spring. A good man. Rest in Peace.

S. David Graber

Planted Trees

S. David Graber

December 19, 2024

I was privileged to work with David. When he retired, he entrusted his consulting work for the City of Quincy to me and generously advised me in that capacity. Subsequently we worked together on successfully mitigating impacts on residents near the enlarged Salem Water Pollution Control Facility. We became good friends. He will be missed.

Tom McShane

December 17, 2024

David wasn't just AT DEP, he was our first Commissioner. At the time he WAS the DEP (or rather the DEQE at the time).
I, along with a small but merry band, had the privilege of serving David as we established this new arm of government. He was an ardent environmentalist and a true gentleman.
As a young intern and staffer I can clearly remember the shudder I felt every time you heard his footsteps coming down the corridor at 100 Cambridge St. I never once saw him be mean , but I'm also sure I never once saw him smile. Until the day we roasted him goodbye in 1978.

David laid the foundation for an agency that has become so important to us all. He will be sadly missed but long appreciated.

Andy Brengle

December 16, 2024

A long life well lived. They don´t make them like David anymore. I´ve never seen someone so selflessly devoted to public service. The hours, days, weeks, months, years and decades that man put in pro bono puts us all to shame. Starting in 1995 with the Temporary Sewer Advisory Committee and on down through the years with open space program, I learned a tremendous amount. But mostly about dedication and staying in the game. That was Dave. We are point to miss him. Thank you, David, for all you did and meant to our town.

Alicia Geilen

December 16, 2024

I knew Dave for 20 years, and in that time I learned so much about wetlands protection from him.

As an inexperienced wetlands consultant back in 2004, he kept me on my toes at Conservation Commission meetings! His depth and breath of knowledge of the MA Wetlands Protection Act regulations pushed me to learn the regulations better, in the hope I could answer any question he asked me. I remember one project where I managed to convince him of my interpretation of the regulations. The small nod of approval from Dave, when he acquiesced to my position, made me very proud. It as like wining an award.

I later worked with Dave when I was hired as the Conservation Agent for Ipswich. He was very generous in sharing his knowledge and experience. One thing about Dave as a Conservation Commissioner: he was the member who I could *always* count on to have read not only the permit application materials (which were often extensive), but also my (often very long) Agents Report. He also rarely missed a ConCom meeting during his tenure on the Commission, even returning to his Commissioner role after a partial amputation.

Dave was funny, wicked smart, hard working, and an inspiration to others in how he approached life's challenges. We will not see his like again.

James Considine, Charlestown

December 14, 2024

Thank you for your military service to our nation. May you rest in peace.

Michael Rivera

December 14, 2024

Thank you for your service to our country, and our community Sir. Job well done and it´s now time to Rest In Peace. May God Bless You and your family.
~Salute~
VFW Post 1012, Medford, MA

Dick George 101st Airborne Division Newburyport

December 14, 2024

Requiescat in pace amica meus! Ave at que vale!

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