David Judkins

David Cummins Judkins passed away February 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina after a long life full of love, laughter, curiosity, and adventure.

David spent most of his career as an English professor at the University of Houston. He was drawn to the dark humanity of Shakespeare, the joviality of the Cavalier poets, and the satire of Ben Jonson. He delighted in introducing generations of students to Milton's Paradise Lost, the poems of John Donne, and the world of 17th century England. He served as Director of Undergraduate and of Graduate Studies in the English Department, and Director of the Houston Teacher's Institute for many years. He won both the Provost's Award for Outstanding Core Teaching (2002) and the Outstanding Teaching award in Distance Education (2004).

David led the University of Houston's study abroad program in London in the 1980's, igniting his interest in using travel and exploration as part of the learning process. He saw his students' engagement increase as they connected their learning to the places they experienced during their semester abroad. When he returned to Houston, he authored Study Abroad: The Astute Student's Guide which he hoped would encourage students to take the leap away from America for some part of their studies. He relished in serving as the University's Director of Study Abroad for a time.

David also taught with the University of Pittsburgh's Semester at Sea program, sailing on three voyages around the world with 600 students on the S.S. Universe-Explorer. He enjoyed weaving the literary works of their destinations and of their travel experiences into the lessons of the journey. He believed the voyage was life-changing for so many of the students, broadening their view and adding depth to their understanding of the world.

David was born in Newcastle, Indiana in 1938. He spent most of his childhood in Anderson, Indiana where he enjoyed playing basketball, singing in the choir, and dreaming of sportscars. After graduating from Ball State University with a degree in teaching, he married his life-long love and partner in adventure, Alice Alley, and moved to Michigan where he taught fifth grade.

Life in another hemisphere soon beckoned. David and Alice drove across the country in their Triumph sports car before setting off across the Pacific by steamer ship where David taught in Sheffield, Tasmania on a Fulbright Teaching Exchange. On the way home, they stopped in Hawaii where he spent a year teaching at Castleview High School on Oahu.

An adventure of a different kind began in 1965 as they exchanged sandals and surfing for mittens and sleds back in Michigan. Here their two daughters were born, and David completed his graduate studies at Michigan State University. By 1971, Alice and he were living in Houston, a place he loved and would call home for most of the next fifty years.

Outside of the classroom, David was always looking for a new project. He enjoyed successful forays in apartment ownership where he honed his skills in all areas of home maintenance and repair. He and Alice owned and ran a wildly popular lunchtime restaurant, The Salad Bar, in downtown Houston for several years. Various sports cars requiring major repairs often occupied the garage.

Over the years he also enjoyed sailing in his Hobie 14, scuba diving, running, brewing his own wine and beer, and cycling. He always loved British sportscars and was a particular fan of the Morgan, a hand-built car. Through his membership in the Morgan Car Club, he and Alice met friends across the world and enjoyed excursions on the backroads of England, France, and America during decades of Morgan ownership. Times spent with these friends were some of their fondest memories.

David spent his life immersed in learning, teaching, and discovery. He was always quick with a laugh, handy with tools, and excited to explore new places. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by his friends and family near and far.

Memorial donations can be made to Houston Public Media.