Dr. David J. Combs

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University of Kentucky University of Michigan University of Notre Dame

David Combs Obituary

COMBS-Dr. David J. Combs, Ph. D., former Deputy Director for Education at the California Science Center, died Tuesday, October 31, 2006 of brain cancer at Methodist Hospital in Arcad ia, California. He was 48. A celebration of life will be held at the California Science Center in The Big Lab of the Wallis Annenberg Building at 4:30 pm on Thursday, November 16, 2006, followed by a reception. Combs graduated with high honors from the University of Notre Dame in 1980 and received his Ph.D. in physiology from the University of Michigan in 1985. He worked for the University of Kentucky as an assistant research professor where he taught physiology and biophysics. He also conducted research st udies for the Cerebrovascular and Brain Injury labs in the Division of Neurosurgery. Combs joined the former California Museum of Science and Industry in 1991 as the life sciences curator, and was responsible for all phases of exhibits on life sciences and chemistry. He developed working relationships with public and private sectors of the scientific community from which he received input and support for his projects. When the museum reinvented itself to become the California Science Center in 1998, Combs' led the collaborative effort that resulted in the World of Life gallery, a learning environment on life sciences that was informative and fun. Tess, the 50-ft. human body simulator who explains homeostasis and has become an icon for the Science Center, incorporates the educational content and impact Combs sought for all the exhibits he helped to develop. In 1999, Combs was appointed Deputy Director for Education and oversaw the operation of the Amgen Center for Science Learning, the educational arm of the C alifornia Science Center. Programs such as summer science camp, school field trip experiences, science demonstrations for the public, community programs, and professional development for teachers are some of the educational experiences that thrived as a result of his vision and leadership. Combs was instrumental in helping form the Science Center's role for the Science Center School and in planning the new program space for the Amgen Center for Science Learning, which both opened in 2004. Combs is survived by his wife Lisa and two children, Alex, 19, and Allyson, 17, of Arcadia, California, parents, David and Geraldine Combs, sister, Judith Roy, all of Florida, and brother, Dr. Arthur Combs of Missouri. In recognition of Combs' commitment to science learning, the Combs family welcomes memorial gifts to the California Science Center Foundation for the Dave Combs Educational Endowment Fund. Proceeds from the Combs Endowment Fund will support education programs at the Science Center in his memory. Gifts should b e mailed to: California Science Center Foundation, 700 State Drive, Los Angeles, CA, 90037, attn: William Harris. For more information, please contact William Harris at (213) 744-2529.

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Published by Pasadena Star-News on Nov. 16, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for David Combs

3 Entries

Kim Burtnyk

May 13, 2007

Dave, was my mentor, my rock, my inspiration, my foundation. Nothing has been the same since he left us 3 years ago, and especially since he lost his battle with cancer last October. I will never forget the chance you took on me, the opportunities I've had as a result, and the confidence you instilled in me while I had the pleasure of working beside you. Thank you for everything. If I achieve even 10% of the success that you experienced in life, I will consider my life a success. Khalil Gibran once said, "A good leader inspires others with confidence in him. A great leader inspires others with confidence in themselves." Dave was a great leader. Still missing you.

Mary Mitchell

November 18, 2006

I had the priveledge of working for Dave Combs as the World of Life exhibit researcher for six years. He was tremendously inspiring, graciously forgiving, and possessed the most incredible combination of intelligence and sense of humor that I have ever known in a person. Dave made working on the WOL project amazingly fun and fulfilling. It is difficult if not impossible to express the mark that Dave made in my life. Things I will always remember about you Dave: the time I found you inside the frog tank (in the Tent) making repairs; our visits to the plastination lab; the jar of Skittles on your desk; you teaching me the correct way to make dilutions in the chem lab; the way you patiently waited for me to calm down and realize that I really WAS wrong; the way you emptied your red pen on anything and everything I wrote no matter how many hours I spent on it (I forgive you for that one!); the advice you gave me on several occasions regarding family and career. I am who I am today largely due to those six years with you at CSC. Thanks Dave, I'll never forget.

Martin Weiss

November 16, 2006

Dave was a good friend and colleague whom I met developing the travelling exhibition What About AIDS? in the early 90's. I was immediatly impressed with his pride in his family, friendship, knowledge, passion for science and his vision for science education. I will miss him.

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