Search by Name

Search by Name

FUNERAL HOME

Koch Funeral Home - State College

2401 S. Atherton Street

State College, Pennsylvania

David Wilson Obituary

David Thomas Wilson November 2,1934 February 1, 2015 With great sadness, the family announces the death of Dave Wilson at Foxdale Village, State College from complications of Parkinson's disease. He was born in Toronto, Ontario, son of the late David and Lena Pearson Wilson of Arbroath, Scotland. He was the dearly loved husband of Joan Keevil, sharing 51 years of marriage since June 1, 1963. He is lovingly remembered by his sister-in-law, Mary Ann Pedlar and her family. Three beloved children survive him: D. Andrew Wilson and his wife, Tricia, of State College; Heather Morel and her husband Paul, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; Wendy Carter and her husband, Daniel, of Ellicott City, Md. He was a much loved and very special Grandpa to Noah and Elsie Carter, Katelyn Morel and Samantha, Mackenzie and D. Cooper Wilson. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Lena Carter. In 1959, Dave received his B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario and his MBA (1964) and PhD (1970) from the University of Western Ontario in London, ON. In 1968, he began his career in Marketing at Penn State University where he taught for 35 years, serving as Marketing Department chairman and co-founder of the Institute for the Study of Business Markets (ISBM). He was the academic director of the MBA program and the Alvin J. Clemens Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies until his retirement in 2001. He was widely respected as a mentor to many students not only from the University Park campus but also from the global community. Dave had a lifelong passion for sports as a player and coach, especially of ice hockey. He was an accomplished watercolorist. A gathering for family and friends will be held at Foxdale Village, 500 E. Marylyn Ave., State College, on Friday, February 6, 2015 from 5:30-8 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday February 7, 2015, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 250 E. College Ave., State College PA 16801, with the Rev. Neal Lassinger officiating. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the Foxdale medical staff of Anthony House for their compassionate care during his illness. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to: The Michael J. Fox Foundation, Grand Central Station, PO Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777; The David Wilson Family Ice Hockey Program Support Endowment, Office of University Development, One Old Main, University Park PA 16802-1500 or St. Paul's UMC: Foundations for Our Future Campaign. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Centre Daily Times on Feb. 4, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for David Wilson

Not sure what to say?





Carlos M. Rodriguez

January 28, 2019

Hello Dave:

I am happy to share good news with you. I continue in the path that you shared with me. I keep working hard on my manuscripts following your example and wisdom. You left a beautiful mark on me that I cherish and share with my colleagues, students, and friends at every moment.

Just recently coming back from France on a teaching assignment and visiting with an old faculty colleague, I ended talking about you. I shared how an example of knowledge, kindness, and gentleness you were. How your high standards of excellence were non-negotiable and a critic and comment to my work was done with kindness and delicate touch.

You know, I miss you! My mentor, my professor, my colleague, and my friend. You were unique, you were special; but most importantly you were Dave. As before, I promised to carry out your flame and inspire others as you did with me. Just bear with me.I am doing my best.

Glenys & Rob Powell

February 28, 2015

Our thoughts are with Joan and family at the sad loss of a lovely man. Our fond thoughts go back to dinner meetings in Melbourne Australia in the mid 70's during the Kodak days. It is with regret that we have only just found each other again recently. Farewell dear David.

Peter and Naomi Miller

February 11, 2015

Our condolences to Joan and family.I met Dave at Western in the fall of '62 and continued through to spring of '65.He and I were in the same class together where he always had wise words and was easy to work with.I often wished he had made it to one of the class reunions to renew our friendship again

Larry Fies

February 11, 2015

Dear Andy, My condolences to you and your family. I enjoyed my time with him at the Ice Pavilion. He made my job fun. I remember him so well from the "Huffers & Puffers" ice hockey league. He was an asset to the program.

Ian Wilkinson

February 10, 2015

A sad loss of a great person and academic leader

February 7, 2015

Dave was a great teacher and business instructor...It was my pleasure to meet and learn from him when he was conducting many programs at Eastman Kodak in the 70's & 80's...God Bless him. Bob Patterson

ivan snehota

February 7, 2015

Dear "Dave",
as we (foreigners) from the IMP research community in Europe came to call you. You had quite a few that treasure the memeories of you as not only a respected colleague but as a friend.
Ivan Snehota
(University of Lugano - Switzerland)

February 7, 2015

As the ISBM Scholar (MBA 2008) and the ISBM Doctoral Fellow (Ph.D. 2011), both of us benefited tremendously from Dave Wilson's generosity. We met him a couple of times and were struck by his warm smile and interest in our activities. Our heartfelt condolences and best wishes to his family.
- Mahima Hada and Rahul Maurya

Jan and Don Morel

February 6, 2015

Dear Joan,
Don and I extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family on the loss of Dave.
May the many happy years and memories you shared with him sustain you at this time. We will keep you both in our thoughts and prayers.

February 6, 2015

Dear Joan and family, Dave and I were colleagues over most of our careers at Penn State. I enjoyed working with him on college committees and as fellow gym rats at Rec Hall. He was a first-rate individual. I also enjoyed his art work.
Best wishes,

Mike Hottenstein, State College

Eelko Huizingh

February 6, 2015

Dear Joan and family,

I am very sorry to read the news about Dave's passing away. I remember him as a very kind and supportive colleague during the time I spent at Penn State in early 2000. He was always positively minded, always looking for oppportunities to help and by setting this example he was an inspiring colleague. His memories will live on.

Janet Fraser

February 6, 2015

Dear Joan, Andy, Wendy, Heather and families,
I remember spending time with Wilson clan, my grandma Margaret Rennie, my Aunt Linda Rennie, my father Jim, mother Joan, and my brothers Alex and Stephen. Think of you. Janet Fraser ( nee Boyd ), David, and Eric Fraser

February 5, 2015

Our condolences on this loss for the Wilson clan. I have fond memories of Uncle Dave up at Skeleton Lake. He clearly lived a full life with his work and his family being central and I know you will miss him. With sympathy from Peterborough Ontario, Stephen Boyd, Ala Boyd, Eliot Boyd and Nathaniel Boyd.

Marv Goldberg

February 5, 2015

Carol and I grieve Dave's passing. Dave was a wonderful colleague. After a career of 20 years at McGill University, it was with great care and concern that I considered an offer from Penn State. Along with a few other senior faculty, Dave was a major influence in convincing me that the move was the right one for me. Dave's openness to all, his balanced, calm view in considering issues we faced represented a wonderful model for me and others to follow. In a very real sense, he was instrumental in setting the tone for the department.

Carol and I cherish the memories of the times we spent socially with Joan and Dave. We know he will be dearly missed by all his family.

Chris & Vanessa

February 5, 2015

Heather and Family,

Our deepest condolences for the loss of your loved one. David sounded like an amazing person who has left an everlasting impact on his family, friends and community. May the Lord bless you all with peace and comfort during this very difficult time.

February 5, 2015

I had the privilege of working with him for many years in executive education. A really fine colleague and friend. We both had Ph. D. from Ivey Business School.

Roger More

Carlos M. Rodriguez

February 5, 2015

Dear Joan, Andy, Heather, Wendy and Families:
You have lost someone very special in your lives. We have too. I have too. I have lost a friend, a colleague, a mentor. I thank life for giving me the privilege to know Dave and shared so many special moments with him.
Dave was a man of convictions, a man who spoke truth and wisdom, a man who will go out of his way to support, encourage, and guide others. He was generous, simple, talented, and believed in growing the beauty of your heart as the beauty of your mind. For him, these two should come together.
Dave was an inspiration. His pleasant smile and the happiness he showed to all was his personal way to say: I care. And in the most difficult times, his integrity, endurance, and strength will bring light and understanding. He used to say to me: “Carlos, a man has to do what he has to do.” His words still resonate with me when facing doubts and uncertainty.
His mentorship was invaluable to me. He knew when to challenge you, how to get the best of you, how to set the standards high. To me, he was unique. Dave, I will miss you so much.
Joan, Andy, Heather, and Wendy; Dave was special because he had all of you. Thank you for giving us the privilege to enjoy the company of someone so special to us.
My sincere condolences

Carlos

Carlos M. Rodriguez

Carolyn Todd

February 5, 2015

If it weren't for Dave I probably wouldn't be teaching at Penn State. He was a great mentor and support in those early days. My condolences to Joan and all his family. Cherish your memories.

Gerhard Wuehrer

February 5, 2015

The Institute of Retailing, Sales, and Marketing at Johannes Kepler University/Austria expresses its condolences to his loved ones and his dear scholars and students. Dave visited our Institute during a congress as key note speaker a couple of years ago. We appreciated his gentle personality, his professional scholarship, and academic support very much.

Swati Jantrania

February 4, 2015

My sincere condolences to Joan and family. I am always thankful for Dave's support and encouragement while I was a PhD student. He once patiently tape-recorded his comments after reviewing my work and mailed the tape to me as I struggled to finish the thesis away from campus. I cherish his kindness and guidance.

Parimal Bhagat

February 4, 2015

Joan and family, Dave has been my inspiration in more ways then one. Apart from my memories during my doctoral days, I cherish the time Dave and you invited me, a single, lonely, young guy who was grieving his mother who has passed in India a few days earlier, to your home for Thanksgiving. Your caring hearts continue to influence me spiritually.

Meg Meloy

February 4, 2015

Joan and family, I am so very sorry to hear the news. Dave had just "retired" when I arrived at Penn State but despite the change in title, he often came to the office to work with graduate students, check on young faculty, and to connect people to interesting problems. Dave never failed to have a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. He was a wonderful mentor and a treasured colleague to all of us in the Marketing department. We will miss him!

Girish Mallapragada

February 4, 2015

As a graduate of the PhD program at Penn State and a beneficiary of ISBM's support, I can say that Dave has touched the lives of many students for generations to come. I used to bump into Dave in the first year of my PhD program at Penn State, the first year after he retired. He was always nice, knew to say the right things to terrified students and made everyone around him feel comfortable. He will be missed dearly. My deepest sympathies to your family.

Peter LaPlaca

February 4, 2015

In addition to knowing Dave professionally and as editors of competing B2B journals, I fondly remember comparing notes with Dave about our sons' hockey endeavors. (Andy, your dad was always bragging about your exploits on the ice.)

We will miss his wisdom and his humor.

Qiong Wang

February 4, 2015

Dear Joan and family, I can't express how sad I feel for losing Dave. As a junior faculty, I still remember on October 14th, 2006, you two took my parents and me to Bellefonte and Penn's cave. You truly believed in building a strong community in and outside of the university. I will cherish the memories and pass on the loving, the kindness and the wisdom you have bestowed on me to other people in my life. Dave, Thank you for everything you have done for ISBM, Penn State, the community, and the people! My deepest condolences to Joan and family. May love and peace be with you.

Jianan Wu

February 4, 2015

I am deeply saddened by the news of Dave's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Scott Porter

February 4, 2015

Aunt Joan, Andrew, Heather, Wendy & Families

Uncle Dave left an indelible mark wherever he ventured. Our family enjoyed visits in Toronto, State College and Muskoka. We always looked forward to his detailed analysis and projections for the upcoming football season at Penn State. He certainly bled blue and white.
Lori and I were great full when he spoke at our wedding 30 years ago. He left a lasting impression on many of our guests, speaking with such ease, confidence and clarity. There was never a need for a microphone.
He will always be remembered by the Porter family.
Our sincere condolences.
Lori, Scott, Daniel, Nicholas & Ryan.


Scott Porter

Gary Holler

February 4, 2015

Joan and family: Gary and I are very saddened to learn of Dave's passing. He was one of the the most remarkable people we have met. I will always remember how he welcomed us when Gary was hired at the ISBM. May our Lord give to you and your family strength and comfort during this time. But remember that we have the assurance of being with our loved ones again. Love you, Gary and Lanora

February 4, 2015

Heather, I am so sorry for your loss and want you to know that you and your family are in our prayers today. Words elude me here but please know we understand that its always too soon when its someone we love and we are standing with you during this sad time. Love, Bill & Coleen

Raj & Rima Grewal

February 4, 2015

I met Dave when I visited Penn State in Spring 2001, he and Joan were kind enough to open their house for a warm and memorable reception. I was fortunate to be a colleague of Dave's for his farewell semester at Penn State in 2001. Dave continued to support me even after his retirement. Rima and I have many memorable interactions with Dave and Joan during our 13 years at Penn State – we dearly cherish these memories. Our love and condolences to Joan and the family.

Irv Gross

February 4, 2015

For over 30 years, Dave's calm and wise voice added immeasurably to the founding and maintenance of the ISBM. He is sorely missed. My sincere condolences go to Joan and his family.

Harish Sujan

February 4, 2015

Dave welcomed Mita and me to State College in 1983. He was kind and loving and made us feel at home; going to work was like going to a family get together. I hope there is a life after this one and Dave's loving kindness shines through in this world. My love and condolences to Joan and others in his family.

Eileen

February 4, 2015

Heather (family and friends), my heart is heavy for your loss. May our good Lord wrap his wonderful arms around you to give you confort and strength during this difficult time.

Showing 1 - 33 of 33 results

Make a Donation
in David Wilson's name

Memorial Events
for David Wilson

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Koch Funeral Home - State College

2401 S. Atherton Street, State College, PA 16801

How to support David's loved ones
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Poems of Mourning and Comfort

The best poems for funerals, memorial services., and cards.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief

Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
Ways to honor David Wilson's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more