David Browder

1946 - 2025

David (aka Sebastian) Browder died in October 2025 of AL Amyloidosis. David lived in Missoula most of his life. He was one year old when his family moved to Missoula, MT in the winter of 1948 from Florida. He attended Missoula public schools from grade school through his junior year of high school, before attending Andover and Exeter. David attended college at Dartmouth and graduated early with a degree in physics. He then moved to Seattle for a PhD program in physics at the University of Washington, which he began when he was 20 years old.

At UW he met Dolly, then an undergraduate student. David's friend introduced them by saying that David is "the smartest man I have ever known." David and Dolly married one year later. At the beginning of their relationship, David completed all of the coursework in four graduate school PhD programs: physics, astronomy, psychology and forestry.

After his years as a student, David had two daughters and began a long career at the US Forest Service in Missoula, beginning briefly in field work, before he taught himself computer programming in the mid-1980s. He then became a standout coder at the Forest Service for 30 years, writing a variety of programs, including those used nationwide.

David's life is not easy to encapsulate through one lens. He had a deep and effortless brilliance in more subjects than can be named, including math, physics, history, philosophy, religion, politics, economics, music, biology and geology. He was beloved by many for his ability to talk freely with anyone on any subject for any amount of time. His love of books was something he shared with everyone and he could read a book in an evening and recount the whole.

He was known for playing tennis and pick-up basketball, and he was a member of the board of Council Groves Apartments in Missoula for over 20 years, making him the board's longest serving member. He was also exceptionally gifted at chess and played several instruments, most of all the piano, which he enjoyed playing every evening.

To his wife, Dolly, they were best friends and partners. They formed a beautiful bond when they were 20 and 21 years old - a bond that will carry on forever.

To his daughters, Amanda and Vanessa, he was unwaveringly giving and selfless. He spent countless hours helping his daughters while they were young studying for exams, practicing tennis, accompanying them on piano, and shuttling them everywhere. Even after his daughters became adults, he was always available to talk for as long as they liked. And he only ever wanted them to be just who they were - just themselves. This love extended to his son-in-law, Seth, with whom he spent hours chatting on a broad range of topics; and to his grandchildren, Elle and Sabrina, with whom he enjoyed reading, painting, drawing, making up stories and playing in the garden and on the piano.

To his younger brothers, Tom and Jim, he was many things: a playmate during their childhoods, then a protector, a mentor, and a source of guidance throughout his life.

David was extraordinarily brilliant and kind and is profoundly missed.

A Remembrance Gathering will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, 1-4 p.m., at the home of Dolly and David (Sebastian). For details email: dayofrememberance01@gmail.com.