David Lee Bradford

March 13, 1963 - Feb. 13, 2009

David Bradford of Albany passed away Friday, Feb. 13, from an undiagnosed respiratory condition. He died peacefully in his sleep.

David was born March 13, 1963, in Bremerton, Wash., the middle of three sons born to Don and Arlene Bradford. He graduated from The Dalles High School in 1981, and then attended Oregon State University, earning a bachelor's degree in geology in 1986. He worked for several years as a computer programmer before returning to complete a master's in geographic information systems (GIS) from OSU in 2007. At the time of his passing, he was working for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

David was a lifelong member of Little People of America (LPA), and along with his brothers, was born with a condition called diastrophic dwarfism. His dwarfism didn't physically limit him, however, as he earned a high school letter in baseball as a pinch hitter, and later in life took up golfing and sea kayaking. He also liked to fish and swim. His hobbies included reading, art, photography, rebuilding computers and, most importantly, playing poker with his buddies. He loved practical jokes and making bets with his friends.

He worked tirelessly as a volunteer on behalf of LPA, serving as the IT coordinator. In addition, he was a vocal advocate for the accessibility needs of little people and represented LPA at the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). At Oregon State University, he served as chairman of the OSU Commission on the Status of Individuals with Disabilities (COSID). David was an avid sports fan and a true Beaver Believer. With his love of sports and advocacy he helped improve accessibility at Reser Stadium. He was a quietly humorous, intelligent and contemplative person with an artistic soul. He could, however, become an adroit vocal advocate when he sensed an injustice.

In passing, Dave leaves behind his parents, Don and Arlene, and brothers Randy and Bill. He had many loving friends and family. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Arthur and Faye Duke, and Leo and Sadie Bradford, as well as cousins Brenda Bradford and Chris Newton.

The memorial for David will be a celebration of his life on Sunday, March 1, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Oregon State University Alumni Center (Willamette Room). In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his honor to the Little People of America (LPA) Scholarship Fund. These can be sent to:

Little People of America Inc., 250 El Camino Real, Suite 201, Tustin, CA 92780. Phone: 888-LPA-2001. E-mail: info@lpaonline.org.

Make checks out to "Little People of America" and send a note specifying the scholarship fund. Donations can also be made online at www.lpaonline.org (click on the link "How You Can Help").

David's unexpected loss sorely grieves us all, but we can confidently say he wants us to live joyfully and with purpose if we want to honor his memory. We should not mourn his passing, but praise creation for his being.