David Rees Tree, 80

David Rees Tree passed away in West Jordan, Utah on September 29, 2016 at the age of 80. The youngest of four children, he was born to Ira Tree and Mae (Rees) Winters on July 18, 1936.

David was a people person, loving to talk and chat with young and old throughout his day. He met Roberta Johnson in high school. After serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; they were married in the Salt Lake City Temple on October 31, 1958. David graduated from Brigham Young University (BS and MS) and Purdue University (Ph.D.) in Mechanical Engineering. He remained in West Lafayette for over 45 years teaching at Purdue and doing research at Herrick Laboratories. He served faithfully in numerous church assignments right up to his death.

Preceded in death by his father, mother and sister Noreen (Keith) Turnbow. He left behind his wife Roberta; sons, Alan (Rae) Tree, Dale (Karen) Tree; daughters, Robbi (Mark) Pixton, Becky (Mike) Pickard, Jane (Aaron) Walton; 21 Grandchildren; 18 Great-Grandchildren; sister, Stella (Stan) Welsh; brother, Ira (Janice) Tree.

We will all miss David but know that we will be reunited with him. A viewing will be held on Wednesday October 5, 2016 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the McDougal Funeral Home located at 4330 South Redwood Road, Taylorsville, Utah. Funeral Services will be held Thursday October 6, 2016, 11:00 a.m. at the Prairie 13th Ward 7337 South Grizzly Way, West Jordan with a viewing from 10:00-10:45 a.m. Interment at the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery. Please see full life sketch at www.mcdougalfuneralhomes.com.ny attachments from your system.

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Published by Journal & Courier on Oct. 2, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for David Tree

Sponsored by McDougal Funeral Home.

10 Entries

Mark Phillips

October 17, 2016

I was very saddened to learn of the recent passing of Dr. Tree. I was one of his undergrad students at Purdue in 1973 and 1974, enjoying his instruction in ME 413 Noise Control and ME 497 Noise Study courses. I recall the names of only a very few of my professors, but have never forgotten Dr. Tree. He was an unusually kind instructor, always happy to do whatever he could to assist his students and increase their knowledge. I expect he would have been pleased to know that I was able to make use of and to apply the principles that he taught many times during my career as an engineer at Caterpillar, Inc.

My sympathy to the family. We have lost a very fine man.

Mark Phillips
Purdue BSME 1974

October 4, 2016

I am so sorry for your loss. I hope Jer. 29: 11,12 brings you some comfort during this difficult time.

Dennis O'Neal

October 4, 2016

I first met Dave in the late 1970s at one of the Herrick Lab conferences at Purdue. It was through the conferences that I decided to work on my Ph.D. at Purdue with Dave in 1980. I really appreciated Dave's guidance throughout my time at Herrick Labs. He was always concerned with his students and wanted to make sure we were progressing in our degree programs. He was an advisor I could share laugh withhe had a great sense of humor. With Dave, you always knew exactly where you stood on things. My favorite day with Dave at Purdue was when he told me I had enough data and analysis for a dissertation and I should write it up! I celebrated that evening, then finished the writing in about three months. With Dave's encouragement, I decided to pursue a career in academia after finishing at Purdue...Throughout my career, Dave has been an exceptional colleague providing valuable encouragement and advice. At ASHRAE meetings, Dave would go out to dinner on Monday evenings with his former graduate students who were at the conference. Over the years, I invited my graduate students to these dinners and Dave adopted them as his academic grandkids. While we have missed Dave since he retired, we still continue the tradition on having dinners on Monday evenings of the ASHRAE meetings. We'll have a special moment at the next dinner in January to remember Dave. My thanks to the family for letting Dave share some of his life with those of us who were his students. He will be sorely missed.

Dennis O'Neal
Dean of Engineering and Computer Science
Baylor University

Lew Wilson

October 3, 2016

I first encountered David Tree in 1965 +/-, he as a Teaching Assistant at BYU in the Engineering Department. Then he was there as a Professor at Purdue University when I showed up for Graduate School. Somehow, he became my major Professor. More than that, he was in a Bishopric with David Glover and Doyle Thompson, all under the stewardship of Stake President Philip Low. I owe a lot to this man, to those men and others of the time.

Sister Tree (Roberta. but few first names for me,) was a young mother with a developing family of cute and bright young children. Years of kindly effort and success with the family are a best tribute to her.

In a recent conversation, out of memory, he bolstered my self esteem for one last time: "Lew, you couldn't sing worth a darn, but you did it with such enthusiasm..."

Many thanks to the good brother and a wish of blessings for the family.

Tree Ranch, Park City

Glenn Tree

October 3, 2016

I lived on the ranch and David came up to work in the summer. When I signed up at BYU I selected Mechanical Engineering because my cousin was in that major. I proudly wore my new slide rule with a nice leather case on my belt. I wasn't the student he was and took another path but he gave me something to look up to and inspired me to be better.

Glenn Tree

Don Ream

October 3, 2016

Since his move back west, he was missed. He was a super example for all to follow. - Don Ream

October 2, 2016

Becky--fond memories of your dad, especially his smile and laugh. My deepest sympathies to you and all of your family. Connie (Ortman) Workman

Sue Boardman-Suttles

October 2, 2016

I'm so sorry about your loss. May you find peace and comfort in the knowledge you will one day be reunited. Prayers....

Angie Teel

October 2, 2016

My prayers are with the family during this time of loss. Dave was the first person that I worked for at Purdue University 31 years ago. I loved working with him - he was so patient as I learned and I enjoyed learning from him. He will be missed.

October 1, 2016

We express our love and prayers to the family, especially Aunt Roberta. I am sure he is having a good reunion with Grandma Winters and my mom.
Love
Lorraine, Bruce and family

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