David Lansdale

David Lansdale, 93, a 40-year executive at Scott Paper Company, died peacefully, surrounded by his children, at Crosslands Retirement Community in Kennett Square, Sept. 23 after an illness resulting from a hemorrhagic stroke in 2008.

Mr. Lansdale was born in Detroit, MI and raised in Los Angeles, CA. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1938. During World War II, he was a flight test engineer with Lockheed Martin where he was researching why planes fell apart when they reached the speed of sound.

He joined Scott Paper Company and spent his entire career there as a purchasing agent, plant personnel manager, and ultimately Director of Packaging. In anticipation of retirement, he started a 1,000-tree holly orchard, took painting classes and began bicycling.

He married Virginia Tomlinson in 1941. They raised five children in Media, and had 42 loving years together before Virginia died in 1983. Although devastated by his loss, Mr. Lansdale made a list of adventures he might enjoy. He renewed his pilot's license and in 1984, he joined the last leg of Marv Creamer's Globe Star voyage which sailed around the world with no navigational instruments.

In 1985, Mr. Lansdale married Sally Boote and they had 23 years together before she died in 2008.

Wherever Mr. Lansdale lived, he was active in the community. He was involved with Middletown Boy Scout Troop 195; instrumental in starting the Middletown Library; and a former president of the National Holly Society. He was active in the Middletown Land Conservancy and donated five acres for hiking trails in Indian Orchards. As a resident of Crosslands, he was head of the Nature Conservancy Committee where he and other volunteers cleared invasive plants and blazed trails on the 300-acre property.

Mr. began roller-blading at age 80 and jogged daily. Since he began piano lessons at age 6, music was always an integral part of his life; he played piano in combos and sing-alongs, and danced whenever he got the chance. He enjoyed winters in Naples, Florida.

Raised as a Christian Scientist, Mr. Lansdale became a Quaker and was an active member of the Media Third Street Meeting and the Crosslands Friends Worship Group. He always moved toward the Light and inspired others to do the same.

Mr. Lansdale is survived by five children, John Lansdale (Mary Ann), Vista, NY; Douglas Lansdale (Gayle), Media; Ginger Brodie (Bob), New Jersey; Judy Roberson (Alan), Media; and Nancy (Alex) Polikoff, Oregon; 11 grandchildren (Scott, Lindsay, Rebecca, Daryl, Amy, Rob, Emily, Brooke, Wyatt, Caley, and William); and two great grandchildren (Robby and Annika).

A Memorial Gathering in the Quaker tradition was held in the William Penn Lounge at the Crosslands Community Center Building, 1660 E. Street Road, Kennett Square. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the American Friends Service Committee, AFSC Development, 1501 Cherry St., Philadelphia, PA 19102.

Arrangements were by Rigby Harting and Hagan Funeral Home, 15 E. Fourth St. Media.