David Godfrey Mead

1922 - 2016

On the afternoon of September 19, 2016 David Godfrey Mead passed away from heart failure after a pleasant morning at home with his closest friend. David enjoyed a healthy and active life, and suffered from declining health only at the very end of his life. David was 94 years old. David was born in West Orange, New Jersey on February 22, 1922 (2-22-22). He was a big surprise to parents Harrold Burr Mead and Rebecca Pole Godfrey Mead, as he was the second twin in an era where it was not uncommon for the mother to be unaware that she was carrying twins. That made him the second boy in the family. With such an interesting pattern of numbers (how many 2's?) in his birth details, it may have been fateful that he later became a professor of mathematics! David was the 5th, and youngest, child in his family. David came from a family who valued education, music, and the arts in general. David was intelligent and always was at the top of his class in school. In addition, David began playing the French horn at an early age and became so accomplished that in his young adult life he was called in to substitute in philharmonic orchestras in the larger New York area. After high school, David began college at Columbia University, but interrupted his studies due to World War II. David served in the U.S. Army as a sergeant (AAF Gunnery Instructor), primarily in New Guinea and the Philippines. He received a good conduct medal as well as a victory medal and was honorably discharged in January of 1946. After the war, David completed his studies in Mathematics, earning a Ph.D. and began teaching at Columbia. There, he met Alba Saba, with whom he fell in love and married. The couple never had children, but enjoyed each other in marriage for 53 years. They lived in New York, where David taught at Columbia, then San Jose, California, where David taught at Santa Clara University. Finally, the two moved to Davis, California, where David taught at the University of California for the remainder of his teaching career. David served several terms as the department chair, was recognized as a distinguished professor, and had numerous other academic awards and accomplishments. Alba preceded David in death, dying in 2008. David suffered greatly from the loss, but was determined to find a purpose that would make the remainder of his life meaningful and would allow him to continue making a contribution to education. He found an elementary school where he began tutoring upper elementary students in mathematics. He became especially fond of a talented student from a migrant single-mother family. David worked with this student for several years, often driving a significant distance to provide the student with mathematical instruction and enrichment. During this time, he became close friends with several teachers, and also with the principal of the school, Shelly Wickwire. Over time, Davidbecame a member of the Wickwire household. After a fall, and a fracture of his pelvis in 2012, David resided in Sacramento with the Wickwire's until his death. During those years, David enjoyed a lively bunch of young adults, pets, and exposure to youth culture. David thrived with the new energy and activity. He was always willing to try new things, and in fact, during this period, he traveled to China twice and spent his 93rd birthday in Thailand where he went elephant trekking. David was a modest man. He was kind, generous, adventurous, and had a quiet but very funny sense of humor. David loved music especially classical music and opera, but he had come to appreciate other genres, including some kinds of rock. He greatly enjoyed long conversations over meals, reading, puzzles, and visiting the dog park in the company of the Woof Pack "regulars" - human and canine. David rarely had a harsh word to say about anyone and maintained a very positive attitude until the very end of his life. David was preceded in death by his parents and his four siblings. David leaves behind a number of very dear friends in Sacramento and Davis. Surviving family members are his nephew, Ted Bachman and his four nieces, Paula Lee Bachman, Beckee V. Bachman, Georgette Kay Escheback, and Ginee C. Scott all of IL and their respective families. Special thanks to the close friends and neighbors who came to David's aid the final months of his life, especially Mooniek, Marcia, Janet, Kathleen, and Wayne. David donated his remains to the UC Davis Body Donation Program for research. UC Davis scatters the remains of donors off of the coast of San Francisco and holds a memorial service in remembrance of program participants each year. There is also a memorial site located on the UC Davis campus that can be visited at any time by family and friends. David very much loved Opera and enjoyed being able to attend live broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera at local theaters and listen to live performances each week on radio. In lieu of flowers, a remembrance may be made in David's name to Support the Met Broadcasts http://www.metopera.org/Support/Gift-Forms/Support-The-Met-Broadcast/ or to a charity of the donor's choice.