David Alan Maybee

05/21/1940 - 01/18/2026

David Alan Maybee, MD, loving husband, father, grandfather, and physician, passed away on January 18, 2026, in Rockville, MD, at the age of 85.
Born in Wilmington, DE, Dave was the older of two children born to Harold V. Maybee and Estelle (Betty) Hill Maybee. A graduate of Pierre S. duPont High School in Wilmington, Swarthmore College, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, he spent much of his adult life in Washington, DC. At Swarthmore, he met his wife Suzi (Merrill), beginning a family connection to the college that would continue through four of their children and two future in-laws, all proud Swarthmore graduates.
Dave's distinguished military medical career began in 1966 with a rotating internship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He completed his residency in pediatrics and a fellowship in Community Pediatrics at Walter Reed before serving a two-year tour at Fort Carson Army Hospital. Returning to Walter Reed in 1972, he completed a fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and served as Chief of the Pediatric Outpatient Clinic.
In 1976, Dave moved his family to Kailua, Hawaii for a seven-year tour as Assistant Chief of Pediatrics at Tripler Army Medical Center—a transformative period that emphasized family life and embraced the island spirit of aloha shirts and no neckties. In 1983, he returned to Walter Reed to lead the military fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, a position he held until his retirement from the Army in 1997.
Throughout his career, Dave trained a generation of military pediatric hematology/oncology physicians. His students, patients, and their families defined his professional life. Upon retiring from the Army in 1997, he joined the FDA as a Clinical Evaluator, reviewing drug testing for children with cancer and blood diseases, while continuing to see patients and mentor former students at Walter Reed. He retired from the FDA in 2012.
Family was at the center of Dave's life. He cherished crab feasts, Dairy Queen trips, and beach walks at Fenwick; canoeing, fishing, camping, and ice fishing weekends at Big Dog Island; and holiday gatherings when the whole family came home to Rockville.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Jane Stone. He is survived by his beloved wife Suzi; five children – Beth (David Allgeier), David Jr. (Nelly Smolyak), Lynne Maybee Nathan (Len), Geoffrey, and Gabrielle Jill; and eight grandchildren – Liz, Matthew, and Cassie Allgeier; Ben and Abe Maybee; and Alyssa, Dani, and Jocelyn Nathan.
A memorial service of celebration will be held in May. The family will scatter Dave's ashes at Big Dog Island on Lake Winnipesaukee, a place that held special meaning throughout his life.