David Wilson Dain

David W. Dain, known by those close to him as "Doc", 88, Tijeras, New Mexico, passed peacefully on November 16, 2024, surrounded by family.

David was born January 28,1936 in Youngstown, Ohio, the son of Bertha Millman Dain & Wilson Willis Dain.

David Dain married Judith Monroe on June 13, 1959, in Hudson, Ohio. David and Judy were happily married for 65 years. David is survived by his wife, Judy, son Bruce Dain & daughter-in-law Jackie Dain, son Robert Dain & daughter-in-law Lisa Dain, daughter Deborah Mouser & son-in-law Vince Mouser. David has seven grandchildren: Michelle Dain, Michael Dain, Matthew Dain, Ashley Aurand, Megan Mouser, Jonathan Dain & Trevor Dain and one great grandchild, Kiani Dain. He is preceded in death by his father Wilson Willis Dain, mother Bertha Millman Dain, and stepmother, Natalie Hogue Dain.

David earned his undergraduate degree at Hiram College followed by a medical doctorate from Harvard Medical School. His residency was in Salt Lake City, Utah followed by work with the Public Health Service in Shiprock, New Mexico and an internship in Burlington, Vermont. He spent the rest of his career as a pathologist at St. Joseph Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. David and two other pathologists founded S.E.D. Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1972. David retired from St. Joseph Hospital to enjoy ranch life at his Lazy DJ Ranch in Tijeras, New Mexico.

David had the sheer will to live fully and enjoy life. David and Judy hiked the entire Appalachian Trail in sections during the years they lived in Massachusetts. David became the first of three generations of Eagle Scouts in the family. He served as a Boy Scout leader for his sons' troops. He was active in the Sandia Mountain Lion's Club, the Masonic Lodge and the Sandia Wildlife Conservation Association. David was an avid birdwatcher travelling and documenting birds on all seven continents with his wife, Judy. He and Judy logged over 600 bird species during their expeditions around the world. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, backpacking, and shooting muzzleloaders in competitions with the Yucca Muzzleloader Club. David was a master woodworker building furniture, cabinetry and hand carving yearly Santa Claus figures for his family. The highlight of many summers was spending time boating at Lake Powell with family and friends.

His children's favorite memories were the times spent outdoors with their parents backpacking, fishing, camping, hiking, birdwatching and boating during their childhood and beyond. A favorite family backpacking trip to the Weminuche Wilderness in Colorado for over a week with blisters, cold lake baths and cooking dehydrated food over a small camp stove seemed daunting until the beautiful vistas, wildlife and sense of accomplishment overcame everyone. Durango, Colorado was a favorite family destination, once in the summer to fish and hike and once in the winter to ski and snowshoe. David's sense of humor and ability to always tell a joke to fit the occasion will be fondly remembered. He treasured his wife and family.

David was a philanthropist supporting the New Mexico Natural History Museum, many wildlife conservation groups, and his Alma Maters.

A Celebration of Life for David will be on Sunday, January 19th at 12:00pm at the New Mexico Natural History Museum's Sandia Room.

Memorial donations in the memory of David Dain may be directed to the New Mexico Natural History Museum.