David Warner

1953 - 2021

David Warner
July 20, 1953 - December 6, 2021
Chapel Hill, North Carolina - It is with fond memories that we celebrate the life of Dr. David Warner, 68, who died at home on December 5, 2021, surrounded by family and with his father's bible in hand. David is remembered as a loving husband, father, brother, and friend, as well as a talented doctor, researcher, and mentor.
David was born in Evanston, IL, from the union of Rt. Rev. James D. Warner, an episcopal priest who went on to become the Bishop of Nebraska, and Barbara Wallgren Warner, a graduate of Northwestern University. David grew up with his younger sister, Cheri, and five siblings who joined the family with their mother, Marcella, a young widow, when James remarried following Barbara's untimely death. Working on the family's tree farm, which was planted shortly after he was born, was a great way for David to learn to love and care for the environment.
From an early age, David was fascinated by science, with one of his favorite toys being a microscope. He went on to study psychology and to later earn a Doctor of Medicine, both at the University of Wisconsin- Madison. It was there that a mutual friend introduced him to his future wife, Rose, a nurse and textile artist, leading to 41 years of marriage. Studying medicine allowed them to travel internationally for the first time, taking them to Africa where he spent several months providing medical care in Kenya.
After earning his medical doctorate, David began a residency in anesthesiology that took him and Rose to the University of Iowa, where their daughter Lindsay was born. The young family subsequently moved to Lund University in Sweden so David could study neuroscience. Upon returning to Iowa City, the Warner family grew when Lindsay became a big sister to Seth.
After 13 prosperous years in Iowa City, David joined the Duke anesthesiology faculty in 1994 as a professor of anesthesiology, surgery, and neurobiology. This marked the beginning of an era filled with professional accomplishments. David's research was continuously funded by the prestigious National Institute of Health. He served as the Vice-Chair of Research for more than 16 years. He was named among the "Best Doctors in America" for 20+ years. Finally, David received one of the highest honors in academia with his appointment as a Distinguished Professor of Anesthesiology, designated by the Duke University School of Medicine.
Unfortunately, in March of 2020, David was diagnosed with glioblastoma. He was blessed to receive the most progressive treatments available, from the doctors at Duke and the Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, enabling him to spend the past 20 months continuing to work in his lab, running, playing his guitar, sailing his boat, spending precious time with family and friends, and continuing to have a positive impact on those around him. His energy and light continue to be felt by all those who knew David, and his legacy lives on in his wife and children.
David leaves behind his wife Rose Warner, daughter Lindsay Warner, DVM, son Seth Warner (Emilie), sisters Cheryl Mulder and Katherine Capen, and brothers Stephen Warner and James Warner. He is preceded in death by his parents, Rt. Rev. James D. Warner, Barbara Warner, and Marcella Warner, his sister Tammy Harris, and his brother Mark Warner.
A celebration of life will be announced later when the uncertainty around COVID-19 subsides.
At the request of the family, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The Nature Conservancy(https://preserve.nature.org/page/81523/donate/1) or to the David S. Warner Gift Fund, (https://www.gifts.duke.edu/dukehealth?designation=391004080) which will formally establish the David S. Warner Professorship at Duke University to keep his love of medical education and research alive.