David Cushman TWICHELL

TWICHELL, David Cushman
David Cushman Twichell of Bedford, formerly of Belmont, passed away on April 24. He was 95. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ethel (Rowley) Twichell; his five children, Joe and wife Anne, David and wife Nancy, Tess and husband Jeff, Anne and husband Pete, and Phoebe and husband Rick; as well as 13 much loved and admired grandchildren: Sarah, Laura, Nate, Chris, Kelly, Gus, Julia, Kate, Jessie, Pete, Cara, Steven and Tommy. Born in New York City and raised in New Haven, Dave attended Thacher School in Ojai, CA before graduating from Williams College. After serving as a Navy pilot during the Second Word War, he returned to Thacher School to teach science for two years. He earned an MS in education and zoology from Yale University before heading to Pomfret School, in Pomfret, Connecticut, to teach science. Subsequently, he served as headmaster of Pomfret School from 1951 to 1961. The family moved to Ojai in 1962, where Dave taught science for one year at Thacher School before serving as headmaster for five years. Moving to Belmont in 1968, Dave taught at the Harvard Education School, working on a program for in-career training of Boston teachers. Starting in 1971, he taught biology at Browne & Nichols School, later serving as head of the Middle School at Buckingham, Browne & Nichols until 1976. Looking to change direction, Dave attended the New England School of Photography. He then used his photographic and scientific skills to help scientists at the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences document and research the Red Knot. In his final active years, he put his woodworking skills to use building toys, aids and other interactive devices for children at the Perkins School, in Watertown. As best as we can determine, he completed between 300 and 400 of these useful items. He leaves us with many memories of "good talks," long walks, trust and respect, "projects" on Cuttyhunk Island, love of the West, love of the Adirondacks, love of the outdoors, laughter, a passion for nature, the need to contemplate and the necessity of giving. His lasting legacy to his family and friends is his cheerful support and admirable energy. His gave his service in countless ways to many, including schools, the First Church Unitarian in Belmont, organizations on Cuttyhunk Island, the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences and the Perkins School for the Blind. Always a teacher, to friends, to students and to his children and his family, he was generous and fair-minded, and followed his own advice to "leave the world a better place than you found it."
A memorial service will be held at the First Church in Belmont, at 11 a.m. on May 7, 2013. Burial will be on Cuttyhunk Island in July. Gifts in his memory can be made to Doctors Without Borders. SHORT, WILLIAMSON & DIAMOND, BELMONT, MA 617-484-6900.