David McIntosh Memory

1943 - 2025

David McIntosh Memory

Dec 28, 1943 - Mar 28, 2025

David McIntosh Memory died peacefully on Friday, March 28, 2025, at his home in Winston-Salem, NC. He was born on December 28, 1943, in Knoxville, TN, to Odessa Arnette Memory and Duncan Thomas Memory. Following the death of his father, the family moved from Birmingham, AL, to the Riverton community in Scotland County, where they had a summer house. This log cabin, built by David's father, became their permanent home. After graduating from Wagram High School, he attended what was then Wake Forest College. He graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. From 1965 through 1967, David taught English as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in a government school in Tanzania. He was a draftee in the U.S. Army from 1968 through 1970. A year of his military service was as a writer of valor award citations in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. In the 1970s, he completed a master's degree and a Ph.D. in reading education at the University of Georgia.

The remainder of David's professional career was as a faculty member and academic administrator at Indiana State University. Much of his scholarly work related to the improvement of critical thinking and problem-solving abilities of middle and high school students. David retired from Indiana State University in 2004 as a Professor Emeritus of Education and moved to Winston-Salem.

David enjoyed exploring the world; he embarked on 32 overseas journeys since 1994. His travels took him across six continents. He spent his final years in Winston-Salem and took full advantage of its excellent location for hiking with members of the Piedmont Hiking and Outing Club. For many years, his leadership contributed to the long-term success of this very popular organization. He personally organized and led hundreds of hikes throughout the Piedmont, NC area and surrounding states. His commitment to exercise, healthy food, and always being up to date on current affairs were a major part of who he was. In recent months, he also enjoyed the walking trails closer to home at Reynolda Gardens and Crossnore.

David was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Thomas McNeill Memory and his brother Donald Wayne Memory. He is survived by his brother, John Madison Memory of Columbia, SC, and his sister-in-law, Katherine Kerr Memory. Throughout David's working and retired life, much of his greatest pleasure and satisfaction came from interacting with his nephews, his niece, and their families. His nephews are Alexander Clinton Memory (Amanda), Duncan Thomas Memory (Amy), and George Kerr Memory (Jen); and his niece is Alexa Memory Bazley (Michael).

Services will be scheduled for a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Friends of Tanzania (1255 22nd St. NW #57455, Washington DC 20037); Catharine Campbell and Daniel White Memorial Scholarship Fund (in c/o of the North Carolina Community Foundation, 3737 Glenwood Ave #460, Raleigh, NC 27612); the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation (717 Marshall Street SW, Suite 105B, Winston-Salem NC 27101), or Reynolda Gardens (Advancement Office, Reynolda Gardens, 100 Reynolda Village, Winston-Salem, NC 27106). Condolences may be shared online at www.salemfh.com.

Salem Funeral & Cremation Service

2951 Reynolda Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27106