David Gideon Weed

David Gideon Weed 1951 - 2008 David Gideon Weed died in the early hours of August 11th, 2008 in Healdsburg, California. The cause of death was a rare and aggressive brain virus (Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy) which had a sudden onset in mid-June of this year. David was born May 31, 1951, and grew up in Dedham, MA, just outside of Boston. From an early age, David exuded wit, charm, and a deep-seated curiosity, qualities that drew people to him throughout his multi-faceted life. David graduated from Harvard College Class of '73, where he studied biology. After relocating to the west coast in the mid-'70s, David worked as a gardener at the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden and then attended the Stanford Graduate School of Business (MBA 1982). After business school, David worked as a management consultant with Arthur D. Little, and later with Alexander and Baldwin. During his corporate career he lived in California, Arizona, and Hawaii. David's professional life was primarily focused on the food industry, as president of Safeway Corporation's Northern California Division in the late '90s, and later as Safeway's chief financial officer. In 2004 he joined the Trust for Public Land as CFO. David was active in a number of environmental causes, including the Trust for Public Land, Save the Bay, Sonoma Land Trust, and U.C. Berkeley's Botanical Garden and Jepson Herbarium. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Attune Foods, Farmacia Remedios, and served as a business advisor for Pacific Community Ventures. David's interests were varied and deep. His love of botany was at the center of many pursuits, including detailed study of California oaks and native flora, a chestnut and kiwi farm, and a vineyard. He had artistic interests ranging from woodworking to videography. David was recently married to Sally Jane Warner, his partner in farming, gardening, and botanic pursuits. Among his survivors are his wife, Sally Weed; his sons Augustus and Sam (from a previous marriage to Jill Richards); his mother Nancy Wright and stepfather George Wright; brothers Charles Weed and Denny Wright; sisters Jay Perera, Sylvia Leo, and Addie Wolbach; and his dog, Jack. He was a beloved uncle and grand-uncle, brother-in-law, co-worker, and special friend to so many. Memorial services will be held in Berkeley, CA, and Boston, MA, in the early fall.