David R. Lenat

Raleigh

David R. Lenat, 66, died April 28, 2016 from complications of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). He was born on April 17, 1950 in Boston, MA. In 1981, he married the love of his life, Georgia Kaye Hagen.

Dave completed undergraduate studies at Johns Hopkins University and graduate studies at the University of North Carolina. He enjoyed a distinguished career as a stream ecologist, retiring from the North Carolina Division of Water Quality and later working as a private consultant. Dave took great pleasure in collaborating with biologists across the country in the discovery of new species. He authored and co-authored 66 scholarly papers which have been cited more than 3,000 times.

Dave had many other interests including birding (with a life list of over 600 species), traveling, running and cycling. He was an avid book collector and rare book seller.

He was predeceased by his son, Christopher John Lenat. Dave is survived by wife Georgia, brother Richard Lenat and wife Marilyn of New Jersey, nephews Geoffrey Lenat (Sharon), Brian Lenat, Brian Collins (Jennifer), Blair Johnson; nieces Molly Chandler Hagen, Allison Hagen and great niece, Arwyn Collins.

Dave's genuine warmth and unbounded kindness made him a dear friend to many throughout the years.

Dave and Georgia were most grateful for the expert care provided by the Duke Adult Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant medical team. The staff of the 9200 unit at Duke University Hospital showed an amazing ability to share love, compassion and kindness throughout Dave's illness. Their efforts will be remembered forever.

A memorial service will be held 2:00 PM, Thursday, May 5th at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh, 3313 Wade Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27607. There will be a gathering of family and friends in the reception area immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts honoring Dave may be made to the Nature Conservancy at www.nature.org.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary's St.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News & Observer on May 1, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for David Lenat

Sponsored by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home & Crematory.

18 Entries

Paul West

January 30, 2018

David's influence reached far. I know him only through one sliver of his work: his Thoreau website made Walden more accessible for my students for years. It speaks well of him that a single project he undertook left such a broad legacy.

Amy Rosemond

November 17, 2016

I admired Dave so much for his contributions to aquatic ecology and stream bioasessment. He was an important mentor to me when I was an undergraduate and had the opportunity to work with him, Dave Penrose and Fern Winborne for a summer - which placed me on a path to find my passion in aquatic science. I just recently heard of Dave's passing and my thoughts are with his family, friends and other benthologists who will miss his spirit and determination.

May 14, 2016

Georgia, I worked with Dave a few years in the late 70's at the State. I always greatly appreciated his scientific work, but equally appreciated his wonderful demeanor and ability to work with people. He will be missed.

Mike McGhee

Forrest Westall

May 13, 2016

It was my great pleasure to have know and worked with Dave for almost 40 years. His dedication and commitment to his profession and field was an inspiration to everyone that he worked with and knew. For many years I enjoyed the opportunity and challenge of running with Dave in training and in races. His friendship will always be cherished. My best thoughts and prayers go out to Georgia, Dave's family and his many friends as they both mourn and celebrate the life of this exceptional man.

Todd Folsom

May 5, 2016

I knew Dave through our shared interest in aquatic insects and stream ecology. We interacted via NABS and the Carolinas Area Benthological Workshop. His passion for the natural world will be missed.

Randy Dodd

May 4, 2016

I had the extraordinarily good fortune to work (and run) with Dave back in the 1980's. More recently, Dave helped assess the health of our local creeks here in Carrboro and Chapel Hill. The fruits of his efforts have been extremely important to me in my work, but I value Dave more as a wonderful friend-his kindness, generosity, integrity, dependability. I mourn the loss, and celebrate the gifts he gave to me, many others, and countless creeks. He is most fondly remembered.

Bettie Furr

May 3, 2016

Georgia, So sorry to hear about Dave's passing. You two had a very special love that few people experience. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

David White

May 3, 2016

Georgia,
I was sad to hear of Dave's passing. He and I had just published a paper together about two months ago. He will be missed in the science community.
David White, Hancock Biological Station

May 2, 2016

Georgia , we were so sorry to hear about Dave, he was such a neat person. We will keep you in our thoughts. Russ and Elaine Drake

Robyn Miller

May 2, 2016

Dear Georgia - Vicki shared the sad news of your loss of Dave. Our hearts and prayers are with you. Robyn

Nora Murdock (National Park Service)

May 2, 2016

Such a terrible loss. Dave was an altogether amazing man, in so many ways. His knowledge of and passion for the natural world were an inspiration to all the rest of us working in the field of conservation. Because of his tireless work, the extraordinary biodiversity of our freshwater streams is more fully understood, and can hopefully be better protected in the future. A life well-lived.

Ed Corey

May 2, 2016

Georgia, thank you for sharing Dave with the rest of us! He was such an incredible influence, and his prolific work on NC's benthic macroinvertebrates will live on as a reminder of his passion and knowledge. I'll always treasure our time in the field, the contributions he made to our understanding of NC State Parks, and most especially his thinking of me enough to name a species in my honor. My thoughts are with you and your family at this time. He will be missed.

Terri Dowd

May 2, 2016

Georgia, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Jenny Eury

May 1, 2016

Georgia,
I was saddened to hear that Dave passed away. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

May 1, 2016

Georgia, I am so sorry for this tremendous loss. I am glad I was able to spend time with the two of you many years ago, and that you both came to visit us in Vermont. I immediately liked Dave. He was an easy person to be around. I hope your family and friends will carry you through your grief and comfort you in any way possible.

With sincere sympathy.
DebbieJohnson-Surwilo

Boris

May 1, 2016

We have lost one of the giants in North American aquatic ecology and for me a wonderful and understanding friend. I will treasure so much our almost 30 years of annual aquatic insect collecting trips crisscrossing North Carolina, the long discussions about the taxonomy of mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, and following Dave driving down the backroads of North Carolina, and he suddenly making an abrupt U-turn, because we passed another sweet stream we just had to sample. I will always remember with great fondness how he allowed but with his classic glare, giving me a few minutes to collect terrestrial insects, especially tiger beetles, so not diverge from the task in hand, collecting new species of North Carolina aquatic insects. I will miss Dave immensely, but I find I am so grateful for having known him. This gratitude will conquer the loss. As it has been said: When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.

Bruce Wallace

April 30, 2016

I was saddened to hear of Dave's death. He was an excellent aquatic ecologist and a credit to our profession. His absence will be missed by many. I am truly sorry for the family's lost as well as the loss of his many talents to our profession.
Bruce Wallace, Prof. Emeritus, UGA, Athens

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