David Winslow Moreland

1953 - 2021

Ann Arbor, Mich. - David Winslow Moreland, 68, of Ann Arbor, Mich., passed away Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, after complications from a surgery. He was born in New London Aug. 31, 1953, to Walter Thomas Moreland and Nancy Olcott Moreland. Dave was a graduate of East Lyme High School and the University of New Hampshire, where he earned the 1975 David H. Wilson award for graduating with the highest GPA in the Chemistry Department. He received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley in 1984.

Following graduate school, Dave joined Parke-Davis in Ann Arbor, Mich. to help start their computational chemistry program, working there for 21 years through the Warner Lambert and Pfizer acquisitions. Following the closure of Pfizer's Ann Arbor facility, Dave consulted with International Discovery Services and Consulting (IDSC) in Chelsea, Mich., providing molecular modeling support for client projects. With the closure of IDSC after ten years of operations, Dave established David W. Moreland LLC to continue his molecular modeling consulting for client drug discovery projects. He was an active member of the American Chemical Society for 47 years.

Dave was a man of substance and knowledge. His interests and talents were many and varied. A talented photographer, he gifted some of his wonderful, framed photos to lucky family members and friends. He was an avid reader, game player, puzzle doer, and music appreciator, as well as model builder, kite flyer, and bread baker. He enjoyed hiking and kayaking, even making his own kayak and mummy sleeping bag. Dave had a close circle of friends with whom he enjoyed many activities. For years he hosted various get-togethers at his home including a regular Wednesday "Movie Night". He kept an extensive list of mini-series, older dramas, historical and scientific series he owned, as well as the occasional "movie" movie. It became a running joke about having to make the decision among the friends as to which one to watch. Regardless, he delighted in the conversation and ensuing discussions. He also held a monthly game night and had an extensive collection of board games. His "Bill Jones" parties were legendary, so named after a mispronunciation of "Build Your Own Sandwich". It became a well-loved inside joke.

Dave was active in the Ann Arbor community, supporting the arts, joining the ski club, and participating in charitable events such as guided cross-country skiing for the blind and helping to build houses with Habitat for Humanity. He was a constant learner, putting great effort and commitment into researching whatever caught his interest and enjoyed online educational forums. In recent years, he spent countless hours researching family history and adding to the family ancestry records. Above all though, he maintained family connections, always reaching out on special occasions, and joining in on family gatherings and travels around the world, including Japan, Hawaii, Ecuador, and Germany.

Dave was a good listener and a thoughtful speaker. He was interested in others and enjoyed hearing their stories. He could play devil's advocate with a twinkle in his eye but was never judgmental. Dave was a special man who will be greatly missed.

Dave is survived by his three siblings, Judith Spitz (Robert) of Waterford, Richard Moreland of Branford, and Elizabeth Fiorillo (Vincent) of Thornton, Colo.; his six nephews and nieces, Andrew Spitz, Benjamin Spitz, Todd Spitz, Jeffrey Moreland, Nina Fiorillo, and Michael Fiorillo; and three grandnieces, Maya, Emma, Lily; and grandnephew Carter.

A gathering in Dave's memory will be held in Ann Arbor at a later date, and his ashes will be interred in May, next to his parents in Waterford. Please consider a donation to www.theark.org in Ann Arbor or www.gardearts.org in New London in recognition of Dave's enjoyment of the arts.