David Henry Small

David, your smile continues to live in the hearts of many who's lives you touched with your kindness.

David, your smile continues to live in the hearts of those you've touched with your kindness.

I grew up and lived near Dave and his family until he left for Wayland Academy. We did grade school, Sunday School and Boy Scouts (Katie was our Cub Pack Leader) together. Wicked funny young man with knobby knees and the sharpest elbows I've ever know while waiting for a rebound. After going away to school, we saw each other less and less . . Turkey Bowl football on Thanksgiving and who can forget his trusty companion from St. Louis University, Aldolf the obedient German Shepard. We've lost touch over the years, but I have occasionally googled his name to find where his life has taken him, and then I find this! Better for having known him!

A GREAT SMILE, THE TWINKLE IN HIS EYES AND A GREAT MAN STILL MISSED.

Dave and I were classmates in high school. We all called him "Smallovitch." He was always a joy to be around. We played soccer together and scored some goals and it was a joy celebrating with him. I´m sure his family and friends loved him very much! He was that kind of guy

Freshman year at Wayland. He was a fierce competitor on the soccer field and had special shin-guards that gave extra cushion to his legs. He was just a nice, nice, fun loving guy.

It was a great privilege for me to work with Dave during the Federal Reserve's centennial celebration. Dave invested so much time and effort in a labor of love to preserve Fed history by capturing oral histories of many key individuals. Each time he had a particularly revealing and interesting interview, he would share the experience and some of the humorous anecdotes from the interview with that twinkle in his eyes and wonderful smile that so many of you have mentioned. Dave had a sense of mission in everything he did that was contagious and brought new energy to an initiative that would prove exceedingly important over time yet did not reveal its degree of importance to many at the time. Indeed, Dave always had an excellent sense of what was important and of lasting value, such that his legacy has now become an important part of the Fed's legacy. I am very grateful for the privilege of working with Dave and only wish I would have known him earlier in his career.

I had the privilege of being a member of the Monetary Studies section in Monetary Affairs many (many) years ago, when Dave was the chief of the section. I and my fellow section mates benefited from so many of the characteristics others have mentioned... his wit, drive, empathy, and the playfulness that extended into that most unlikely of venues... economics. Several others have mentioned the twinkle in his eye. I had the privilege of seeing that twinkle first-hand when Dave had just figured something out, or completed an assignment that he was proud of.

I will relay one story that I have brought to mind a hundred times since learning of Dave's passing; it makes me smile every time, and it illustrates in simple terms how much Dave cared for others.

Dave had invited my wife Melynda and our two daughters -- who were maybe 4-ish at the time -- over to Dave's house for dinner. No sooner had we arrived than one of them stepped smack dab in a pile of dog poop. Understandably, she was a little traumatized by suddenly having a very messy shoe. I mentioned what had happened to Dave and asked if he had a sink where I could clean up the mess. Over my objection, Dave insisted on taking the offending (and at that moment, offensive) shoe and doing the cleanup himself. The restoration of the shoe allowed our daughter to calm down and have a very pleasant rest of the evening.

I mentioned this episode to her a couple of weeks back, when I had learned of Dave's passing. Her response: "Oh sure, I remember that very well! He was so matter-of-fact about it." How many acts of generosity done to a four-year-old stick with them 20+ years later? There was something about the simple humanity with which Dave insisted on doing the cleanup himself that made an impression on a four-year-old and has stuck with her ever since.

It's a high standard for the rest of us to live up to. But Dave was like that. Might we each make a special point of performing a simple act of generosity to someone else, not because they are powerful or wealthy, but simply out of caring for others. And might we think of Dave when we do it.

I was so sad to hear the news of Dave's passing. I worked with him for a number of years in Monetary Affairs--most recently on the oral history project, which Dave gave so much time and energy to and which is part of his legacy. I will miss the twinkle in his eyes. My condolences to his family.

We will miss you, Dave. You were always quick with a smile and a laugh, and you have my deepest respect, sir. May your love live on in your family and friends, and may the sun shine brightly on your face in the clearing at the end of the path.

Reading everyone´s posts is so heartwarming and has been a source of comfort over the last few months. Thank you so very much to everyone who has shared something here.

My dad had a quiet but strong presence, and reading about how much he impacted other´s lives is a gift to me.

The themes I see over and over again are the same characteristics I saw in him: kind, going out of his way to be helpful, a teacher, strong moral compass, funny, and a smile that
really meant something.

We miss him tremendously and will love him forever.

Our deepest condolences to the family

So sorry to learn of Dave's passing. We worked together for many years in the FOMC Secretariat. Rest in peace my friend!

Dave taught me macro and invited me to play on his soccer team. I remember him as enthusiastic both on on off the field and for making me feel welcome in Madison. RIP Dave. Luke

Dave was a wonderful colleague. He always had a smile on his face, usually just before sharing an "ironic" observation. I am glad I was able to collaborate with him on the oral history project. Together, we interviewed Dewey Daane and Paul Volcker (about his younger years).

Dave was a terrific colleague in MA, brightening late night bluebook sessions with his wit and his helpful ideas. His knowledge and analytical perspective were critical to the success of the oral histories.

My condolences to his family and friends.

Don Kohn

I am very sad to hear of Dave´s passing. I worked with him at the Fed and he was always such a kind, funny, and pleasant person to talk to. He had a great sense of humor and often would mention his family in our conversations. His great smile was always present it seemed. Deepest condolences to his family and friends. Keep his memories close.

I met Dave soon after I joined the Fed as a speechwriter--my boss sent me to him as a keeper of Fed history and lore (he knew the difference.) I was interested in the oral history project he took on, but also intrigued by a guy who had done so many things for the Fed as an economist and found this new thing so interesting and engaging. I would sometimes seek him out on points of Fed ancient history, and come away with things I didn't know. I enjoyed talking to him about his interviews and and the challenges of dealing with outsized personalities like Volcker, which resonated for me as a longtime Washington reporter. Dave once paid me a compliment for a little flourish in a speech I wrote, I cherished memory that, actually, I think of often. I am not surprised to hear about Dave's antiwar feelings, and his willingness to act on his feelings, because he always seemed like a guy who gave more than just a thought to right and wrong. We weren't exactly friends, more like birds of a feather, and I think Dave knew that. I had talked to him about his nearing retirement, and his loss has hit me harder than I might have expected, and led me to do some reflecting on how I am spending my time, however much of it I have left. I feel sad for those deprived of his gentle, somewhat bemused presence, but especially sad that he won't have more days to spend with them and this old world.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. Every time I did see David he had that smile. RIP

I am so sorry I didn´t get to know David better - I know he would have been a great relative- in law. May his memory always be a blessing to all his family and friends!
Sue Thau

He seems like the guy I would be friends with.his love of teaching every aspect of life will carry on in all who knew him.

I was shaken and so sorry to hear the news of Dave´s passing. Dave and I go back some 50 years when we started graduate school together at Northwestern. We were roommates and shared an apartment for the last two of our four years there during which our friendship grew. Following Northwestern we went in different directions but always stayed in touch. When he moved to DC in 1983 where I was, we would see each other regularly for a beer to reminisce about our Northwestern past and building our visions of the future. From time to time, demands in our personal lives reduced our get-together frequency. But that never mattered: regardless of how long we didn´t meet, as soon as we did again it was as if no time had passed. Dave was a source of inspiration to me both in the graduate school challenges we both faced and, subsequently, in life more generally. It was always comfortable and enjoyable to be with Dave because he was always sincere, authentic - no make-believe efforts; a true mensch! I will miss him.

May Dave rest in peace and may time help heal the void created by his absence for Donna, Diana, and Mark and the rest of the family.

(the picture I added is of him at my birthday party a "few" years ago)

Dave and I were colleagues at the Fed for a lengthy span of his very successful career. And although I cannot claim that we were close friends, it always felt to me like we were whenever I talked to him. That feature was one of many "positive externalities" I associate with Dave. I have no doubt he will be missed. He is already.

I am so sad to hear of Davids' passing. I am going to miss all the talks we had about sports and life.

Dave was a year ahead of me at grad school at Northwestern and was a constant source of stimulation, amusement, and thoughtfulness. I am so sorry to hear that he will not enjoy many many years of retirement.
Marsha Courchane

Dave, we go way back to grad school days at Northwestern. I will miss our periodic catch-up calls over the decades and have so valued your insights. I always learned so much from you and enjoyed your sense of humor. We both decided to retire on May Day and I´m so sad that you won´t be able to enjoy that next chapter with your friends and family. For your family, know that we feel very fortunate to call him a friend.

Jim Glassman

I will remember his great smile, friendly wave, and slight twinkle in his eye whenever we passed each other in the halls. He was truly a nice guy. My sincere condolences to his family.

As an adult returning to college, I avoided statistics. A conversation with Dave led to weekly tutorial sessions. Of course, I passed with flying colors. No judgement, always kind, and funny. Prayers and heartfelt sympathy to the family.

I always smiled when Dave walked into my office. That happened a lot when he was working on open-market operations under the Federal Reserve Act. Not many economists made regular visits to the Legal Division, but Dave was the exception, always bringing good humor and a desire to get it right, even if that meant talking to lawyers! He was an important part of the Fed family. He will be missed.

I was a student of Dave at Wisconsin and worked with him at the Fed. I enjoyed all the time I was fortunate enough to spend with him.
Eric Rosengren (former president FRB Boston)

My Sincere condolences on the passing of a great co-worker. I remember interacting with Mr. Smalls over the phone for conference call request and would wave when passing through the halls of the board. Prayers to the family of David Small.

Dave was a fine colleague during my 13 years at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, reading and commenting on my work, and being cheerful and helpful.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all. He was a kind person who loved his family.

David was a wonderful big brother to me. I always admired his playfulness, drive and warmth towards others close to him. I believe his legacy; from my perspective was his unconditional love for both of his children. He was a good man. Xox

Dave was such a wonderful big brother. He taught me to love play tennis, climb trees, and to love math. And he was the most devoted father I've ever known. I will miss him forever.