Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
David Chiszar Obituary
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for David Chiszar
Sponsored by Richard J. Russell, M.D..
Mark Mansanares
March 22, 2025
Dr. Chiszar was my professor at CU in ethology my senior year. My two memories of him were when he called me out sitting in the front row wearing cowboy boots. It wasn´t that I was wearing boots, it was that they were made of "horned back lizard" which unknown to me were an endangered species. I didn´t know, I bought them on sale and as a poor student I loved the pattern. I never wore them again in his class and my second memory is I needed a single credit to graduate. He had me review his latest text for one credit and never held the cowboy boots against me. What a great and compassionate teacher! I still have the boots which are 40 years old and due to my history with him, I will never let them go. I retired a few years ago with over three decades in law-enforcement , I used my psychology degree every day and many of the things he taught me. RIP my most memorable professor at CU.
Bo(yd) Shaffer
May 27, 2024
David was one of my Advisors for my Grad School work, along with Hobart (Smith), who was my major advisor. Hobart was the Grand Old Man of Herpetology at EPOB, David was Chair of Psych Department. I was EPOB, spent a lot of time in MCDB, and was excited to work in Psych. David had a room full of rattlesnakes. Any if us students could walk into room, and no big deal...as soon as Dr. Chizar just walked in the door, the whole room started to buzz. They *knew* immediately the guy who messed with them all the time was present. The studies we did on prey tracking were really amazing, snakes have more senses than we think.
The final story I have is on the damn spitting cobras. Cute little things, but real escape artists. They rise up in front of you and you move closer to see, and all of a sudden there's droplets all over the glass ( or face shield). I helped hunt down escapees twice in basement of Psychology building.
"Whatchu doing?"
"Looking for a cobra"
"WHAT???"
Good memories, David...Requiescat in Pacem!
Scott N
February 16, 2018
Dr Chiszar was my Ethology professor at CU in the mid 80's. I was recently asked who my most memorable professor was and it didn't take but a minute to decide. He was brilliant, theatrical and unique. A great loss, but a great memory.
Godspeed David. Hope to see you on the other side.
Gwen Murdock
February 14, 2017
I am so sorry to read this about Dave so long after his death. He launched me on my academic career, when he started his work at the Denver Zoo primate house. I always talk about his rattlesnake research in my classes.
Rich Russell, M.D.
August 11, 2014
Dr. Chiszar was a force of nature, who made a deep impression on me, especially as an older, returning student. I'll never forget the snakes in the lab, the summer zoo course, etc.
The most extraordinary memory, however, was the letter of recommendation he wrote for my medical school application, which was just overwhelmingly positive, encouraging, and gracious.
I am so saddened to hear of his untimely death, and wish to convey my deepest condolences to all his family and friends.
Peter Stricker
October 24, 2013
I was sorry to hear of David's passing. I know David from Rutgers University. I worked for Dr. Norman Spear and David was his graduate student. I spoke to Dave several years ago and he remembered me from my music background. Dave was a fun guy and I was glad he was very successful in his work. He is one of the few grad students that really took his research seriously. I knew he enjoyed fishing. I even helped him move when he was in North Brunswick NJ....Peter Stricker
Jeanne Trupiano
March 30, 2013
I met Dr. Chiszar when I was an undergraduate at CU just as he was taking up weight-lifting. He liked to attend office hours in jeans, a t-shirt and red bandana around his head. Cool guy. Like many others have mentioned in this memorial, he worked hard to remember individuals and encourage them to excel. From his zoo course to statistics--I loved it all.
Fortunately for me, I have cherished memories of our mutual friendship with Hobart and Rozella. Dave had so many gifts but the most memorable for me will be the deep and abiding friendship he had with the Smiths. He will truly be missed.
Clay Garrett
March 26, 2013
I will always be grateful for Dave's contribution to my understanding of ecology and the scientific process. He was a great teacher, and unselfishly mentored many who crossed his path outside of the university setting. His contributions to zoo herpetology are considerable, and I am richer for having had the opportunity to work with him on numerous projects. The scientific community lost a great scholar with Dave's passing. He will be missed on so many levels.
Peace friend.
Jack Sherman
March 24, 2013
I was a graduate student in experimental psych at CU and knew Dave as a teacher of statistics and as an inspirational scientist. Not only was he smart, he was genuine and kept it "real" in an academic environment. I am sorry he has passed on; he leaves an admirable intellectual and personal legacy.
Vernon Avila
March 20, 2013
Iam very sad to hear of David's passing. As my PHD advisor he changed my life in so many positive and signficant ways. He will truly be missed.
Bob Burke
February 20, 2013
I haven't looked up Davy Chiszar for several years. I grew up with him in Perth Amboy, NJ. His grandparents owned the gas station that was run by his father that was next to the public housing project that I grew up in. We were the best of friends and even then snake and frog hunters. But he was a very bright student and I was just short of a being a high school dropout.
But I really owe my adult life and my career to Dave Chiszar.
I got out of the Army in 1967 and attended a community college. I wanted to transfer to Rutgers but that was not likely to happen. Dave, while still a graduate student, called the President at Rutgers and somehow he talked my way into Rutgers in Newark.
Without his help none of the truly good things that have happened in my life would have followed. I graduated with honors for Rutgers and then Rutgers Medical School. I am now completing my 35th year as a pediatrician caring for children with physical and developmental disabilities and I am on the faculty of Brown University Medical School. Few people can say that they owe everything to one person. Because of his nagging phone call to the President of Rutgers, I really owe all of this to Davy Chiszar.
I did send him a thank you for what he had done for me at the time of my daughter's graduation from medical school. I sincerely wish we had kept in touch over the years. I have never forgotten what he did for me and never will. Tell his family how much of my life I owe to Davy Chiszar and what a great friend he was to me.
Bob Burke
(Dr. Robert T Burke MD, MPH)
January 31, 2013
Dave shaped my career, the way I think, and the way I do science. He was fun and funny and always willing to help. What a great guy.
Rattlesnake den, Sinclair WY...ca. 1983
Geoff Carpenter
January 31, 2013
Very sad to lose Chisz....great herpetologist (from a bit of a different background)....great guy.
Matt Goode
January 30, 2013
I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Chisz. I was so fortunate to get to know him through my work with Dave Duvall at the University of Wyoming. Chisz always had time for me, many years later when I would ask him to review a manuscript or write a letter of reference. He will always be one of the most talented, clever, and passionate scientists I will ever have the pleasure to know. Most importantly, he was a wonderful person.
Miriam Reed
January 24, 2013
The research of Dr. David Chiszar will continue to benefit many. I am grateful to have learned what he discovered. He will be missed.
January 17, 2013
This is very sad news. Very few herpetologists can replace the good David Chiszar!
My sincere condolences to the family and friends and to us Herpetolgists out there!!! A vedry sad day it is.
Ronald A. Javitch
MONTREAL
David Shern
January 17, 2013
David was a wonderful colleague, great mentor and a terrific human being. We shared many dinners together in the Tabor Inn at CU. His humor, broad interests in all things to do with life sciences, his productivity monitoring (remember his 'item' list) and his willingness to pitch into any project for a friend are his hallmarks.
Kevin Fitzgerald
January 15, 2013
was a true Dave Chiszar was a force of nature. He was the best lecturer that I have ever seen. He was a true student of herpetology.
Malcolm McCallum
January 15, 2013
Among the greats in the field of herpetology, David Chiszar will be sorely missed. Much can be said about an individual just by observing how they value their own relationships. Dr. Chiszar insisted on completing a tribute to Hobart Smith while undergoing treatment. So deep was their friendship. I think this speaks volumes for a scientist whose work speaks for itself, so often the person behind the work is ignored. The brief time I was in communication with him made it clear that he is not only a great scientist, but also a great man.
Janeen Hill
January 12, 2013
Dr. Chiszar was such a wonderful teacher - his enthusiasm and energy were contagious, and he cared about his students. I am so grateful to have known him. He will be missed.
Matthew Bealor
January 9, 2013
David was one of my heroes and a great friend/colleague. He was a true scholar and a gentleman who will be greatly missed.
Randall Reiserer
January 9, 2013
David inspired me first as an undergraduate to embark on systematic studies of feeding behavior. Since then, his influence has been a constant in my own research. Dave Generously sent me piles of reprints and nurtured my interests during numerous conversations. I suspect that many of us would agree that, though his spark has been extinguished, the intellect of David Chiszar is still ablaze among his many colleagues and admirers.
Clint Henke
January 8, 2013
It was an honor to know Dave and I feel fortunate to have accompanied he and Hobart Smith on one of their legendary field trips to Mexico. His knowledge, curiosity, integrity and worldly conversations will sorely be missed.
Brian Aucone
January 8, 2013
Dr. Chiszar was had great passion for herps and their behavior but was one of a kind in his way to share that passion with anyone. I last saw him in 2010 when he was sharing his great stories and research at the SWPARC meetings in Fort Collins. We were so grateful that he was able to come out and be our keynote speaker. He'll be truly missed.
Gordon Schuett
January 8, 2013
It was my good fortune to have known Dave. He was passionate about animals and was a true pioneer in the study of reptile behavior. I am honored to have published with him as a colleage and friend. He will be sorely missed.
Larry D. Wilson
January 8, 2013
David Chiszar, apart from his many contributions to herpetology, was a great and stalwart friend to my mentor, Hobart M. Smith. He will be sorely missed.
Ruston Hartdegen
January 8, 2013
Dr. Chiszar was an inspiring figure who went out of his way to foster a passion for herp research. He will be missed.
Zoran Tadic
January 7, 2013
His work on snake behavior has actually me pulled me into the field. I met him once, while I was at conference in Ft. Worth Zoo. He was a great inspiration to me. Will be sadly missed.
Bill Hayes
January 7, 2013
David was a remarkable scientist with a deep passion for his research and a keen sense of humor when communicating about his discoveries. He will be missed by many.
Gordon Burghardt
January 5, 2013
David was a fine, enthusiastic, and innovative scientist, generous in so many ways to all who knew him, and a true friend to me as we traversed the early terrain of studying reptile, especially snake, behavior. The field has lost a true scholar with much yet to contribute, and will be sorely missed by many.
Showing 1 - 31 of 31 results
Make a Donation
in David Chiszar's name
Memorial Events
for David Chiszar
How to support David's loved ones
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
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
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 moreWays to honor David Chiszar's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
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
