Brigadier General David Herdman Cameron Sr.

1927 - 2018

Brigadier General David Herdman Cameron Sr. obituary, 1927-2018

Brigadier General David Herdman Cameron Sr.

1927 - 2018

BORN

1927

DIED

2018

David Cameron Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Feb. 15, 2018.
Brigadier General David Herdman Cameron, Sr., 90, husband of Carolyn Mays Cameron, passed away on Wednesday, February 14, 2018, at The Colonnades in Charlottesville, Virginia. David Cameron was born on November 6, 1927, in Southampton, New York, son of late Robert Herdman and Clara Weeks Cameron. General Cameron graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, in the Class of 1950. He served in the Army Corps of Engineers, going on to earn a master's degree in civil engineering at Princeton in 1956, a master's degree in mathematics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1960, and a PhD in civil engineering at Princeton in 1970. He served in the U.S. Army for thirty-eight years, twenty-eight as a professor of mathematics at USMA. He had tours of duty in Korea and Germany and he completed his military career as Department Head, Mathematics, earning the Distinguished Service Medal upon retirement in 1988. After retiring, David and Carolyn moved to the Washington, D.C., area and lived there for fourteen years before moving to Charlottesville. David Cameron was renowned by colleagues and students as a master of the art of teaching, a "Teacher's Teacher." His passion for education and commitment to Plutarch's principle that "a mind is not a vessel to be filled but a flame to be kindled" pervaded his work. In the words of prior student, Col. Rickey Kolb, "General Cameron's contributions to the Department of Mathematics, USMA, the United States Army and the nation are immeasurable." David cherished his family and friends and they remember him as an exceptional man of honor and integrity, lovingly devoted to his family, and with a dry wit that entertained those lucky enough to be near him. He was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Cameron Forbes. He is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-four years, Carolyn, three children (daughter, Leslie Anne Cameron and husband, Ed Colonna, of Arlington, son, David H. Cameron, Jr. and wife, Patricia Cameron of Hamilton, Massachusetts, daughter, Susan Cameron Reres and husband, Tom Reres, of Afton), seven grandchildren (Kelsey Gwyn Butterworth, Kate Cameron Orb and husband, Quinn, Anne Cameron Zgrablich and husband, Andrew, Carolyn Cameron Voge and husband, John, Shannon Elizabeth Reres, Erin Christine Reres, and Matthew Cameron Reres) as well as two great-grandchildren (Grace James Zgrablich and Reese Taryn Orb). The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, February 23, 2018, at the Teague Funeral Home in Charlottesville. A funeral service and burial with military honors will be conducted at Olivet Presbyterian Church at 2575 Garth Road, Charlottesville, Virginia, on Saturday, February 24, at 2 p.m. Those who desire may make memorial contributions to the Wounded Warrior Project.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign David Cameron's Guest Book

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February 22, 2018

Someone posted to the memorial.

February 20, 2018

jenny gardiner posted to the memorial.

February 19, 2018

Carolyn Blackburn posted to the memorial.

February 22, 2018

Dear Aunt Carolyn, Leslie, David and Susan,
I am so very sorry for your loss. I have the fondest memories of him on Herrick Road and West Point. He was such a great friend to my father who loved him so much.
I am thinking and praying for you all.
With Love,
Anne Cameron Cunningham

jenny gardiner

February 20, 2018

So sorry to hear about your father's passing Sue!

Carolyn Blackburn

February 19, 2018

Carolyn, Herb and I have such a happy memory of visiting with you and David in Tallahassee years ago. We were all there to visit Mama (your Aunt Ellen). I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for you two. What a special man David was.

Chris Arney

February 19, 2018

"Colonel" Cameron, as I knew him for many years in the Math Dept at West Point, was one of my mentors and my inspiration to teach and serve. He taught me how to teach. What a fine man and leader. --- Chris Arney

Michael and Barbara Forbes

February 18, 2018

Our heart is very sad for the loss of the General. Dave was larger than life to me and I was always taken with his wonderful demeanor, good humor and intellect. I have vivid memories of his loving interaction with his mother, beloved Clara, and with his sister, Barbara. She revered her brother, that was always clear and he so respected our precious Cam (who he always called by her given name).

His love of family, country and his students at West Point define a beautiful life that most assuredly made a difference in this world. May God bless and keep him close, well done good and faith servant. Rest In Peace.

Many thoughts and prayers are with Carolyn, Dave, Leslie and Susie and all your family.

February 18, 2018

David, (Carloyn)
It's been one of our privileges in life to get to know you. And just because you are gone, you won't be forgotten.
One of my best memories of you was the way you gave the nurses hell, whenever you were at the hospital. An Army General and a hospital patient - 2 worlds collide

Doris Strozier

February 18, 2018

Dear Carolyn,
So sorry for your loss. I have so many fond memories of you two..
God Bless
Doris Strozier

Tony Colby

February 18, 2018

A great soldier, teacher and leader -- and a wonderful life. Had the good fortune to serve in the USMA Math Dept in mid-1980s and benefit from his mentoring. Remember his use of Plutarch's principle on many occasions. Winkie and I are thinking of Carolyn and the rest of the Cameron family.

Lettie Bien

February 18, 2018

I did not know BG Cameron but acknowledge his passing with respect as a member of the Army Tribe- the band of brothers and sisters that served our nation with pride. Although I had an affiliation with USMA many years ago, I did not, unfortunately, cross paths with the General. My deepest sympathy to his family, friends, colleagues and students.

Jim Herod

February 17, 2018

I was a visiting professor to the Academy from Georgia Tech in '81-82. David and Carolyn Cameron made it possible for my wife and me to be a part of the community while there. It is with great memories that I have of them both. My sympathies to the family. Jim and Martha Herod

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Teague Funeral Service

2260 Ivy Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22903

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Sign David Cameron's Guest Book

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February 22, 2018

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February 20, 2018

jenny gardiner posted to the memorial.

February 19, 2018

Carolyn Blackburn posted to the memorial.