David Stathem Weaver

Jun 6, 1947 - Jan 9, 2025

David Stathem Weaver died unexpectedly on January 9, 2025. Most recently a resident of Lewisville, NC, Dave was born in Raleigh on June 6, 1947 to David S. and Sarah Nisbet Weaver. His early life was spent in Wilmington, DE, until his family moved to Tampico, Mexico in his middle school years. Travels in Mexico, especially to indigenous ruins, whetted his interest in anthropology, his eventual career choice. He finished high school in Maryland when his family moved to the Baltimore area. Immediately following his college graduation (University of Arizona, Tucson) he joined the Army, serving with honor in Vietnam (1968-1970). His military experience was no less formative than his later graduate education.

After completing his Army service, Dave lived in Tucson, AZ where, as a single parent to his young son David, he made ends meet as a banker, donut baker and ambulance driver. Returning to the U of A to pursue graduate studies in anthropology, he completed his MA in 1975. He met his wife Fran (Frances Lusso) when he and David moved to Albuquerque to continue his studies at the University of New Mexico. Subsequent to receiving his PhD in Anthropology from UNM in 1977, he moved, with his family, to Winston Salem, NC, where he taught at Wake Forest University for 25 years (1977-2002), serving as chair of the Department of Anthropology from 1986 to 1996. Dave was sought after by both undergraduates and graduate students, receiving the Wake Forest University Excellence in Teaching Award in 1981. His bone biology research interests led him to serve on the faculty of Comparative Medicine in the WFU School of Medicine (1983-2002) and as a Visiting Professor at the University of Vienna, Austria (1998 and 1999).

In addition to his career in academia, he enjoyed rock climbing, backpacking, leading Sierra Club Trips and traveling with family, supplemented with journeys and collaborations related to his professional interests.

Retiring in 2002, he and Fran moved to the Albuquerque, NM area. His time there was filled with volunteer service, focusing on teaching and the outdoors, working hiking trails and delivering educational programs to children at Sandia Mountain Natural History Center, assisting visitors to the Sandia Mountains for the US Forest Service and Friends of the Sandia Mountains, walking shelter dogs at Animal Humane New Mexico and delivering public talks on human evolution, travel and whatever had most recently piqued his curiosity. Dave and Fran traveled extensively before and after retirement, encompassing all seven continents and numerous national parks. In recent years it was his special joy to share experiences in the national parks with his grandsons.

In September 2024, Dave and Fran returned to North Carolina to be near their son and his family. Nothing pleased him more than an afternoon trading puns with the kids.

Dave is survived by his wife of 49 years, Frances Lusso; his son, David Weaver (Amie); his grandsons, David "Stathem" and William "Miller"; and stepgrandson Phoenix Harris. His sister, Sarah Lynn Dillon of Maryland; and her children also survive him, along with paternal uncle S. Alvin Weaver (Nancy) of Texas; and their children.

He will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother, a gifted teacher, a treasured friend and a coveted Trivial Pursuits partner. Dave's character, his love of his family, his encyclopedic mind, and his remarkable sense of humor cannot be encapsulated here. If you knew him, you know he was unique and you truly will not see his like again.

A memorial celebration of his life will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent 'In memory of David Weaver' to:

New Mexico Museum of Natural History Foundation, (for the Sandia Mountain Natural History Center) PO Box 25446, Albuquerque, NM 87125. www.naturalhistoryfoundation.org or Animal Humane New Mexico, 615 Virginia St. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108 www.animalhumanenm.org.

Condolences may be shared online through www.salemfh.com.

Salem Funeral & Cremation Service

2951 Reynolda Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27106

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Winston-Salem Journal from Jan. 26 to Jan. 27, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for David Weaver

Sponsored by Salem Funerals & Cremations - Reynolda Rd..

5 Entries

Adam B Richman

August 8, 2025

I just read of Professor Weaver's passing in the Wake Forest Magazine. He left such an indelible (positive) impression on me 35 years ago. To this day I reference pieces and bits from the course I had with him. I cannot know how he impacted his family and friends, but I do know minimally, that he had a very outsized positive impact on how I saw the world for such a brief time I was in his orbit. Peaceful journey!

Jorge Font

July 27, 2025

I just saw his obituary in the Wake Forest magazine. I had several of Dr. Weaver's classes at Wake Forest in the late 1970s. He was 10 years older than me and had a profound influence on my life and career choices. Getting to know him personally, including by way of dinners with students and other personal interactions outside the classroom was enriching. Not your typical professor with his stories of jumping out of airplanes at high altitude over jungles during the Vietnam conflict and talking about exposure to agent orange. I went on to focus on physical and medical anthropology and later went on to a Masters in Public Health. Rest in peace Dr. Weaver!

Cheryl Ritenbaugh

February 17, 2025

I knew David when he was a physical anthropology grad student at the University of Arizona from 1972-75. He was my TA in the undergraduate course in human evolution, and we came to be good friends. I was also a good friend of his professor Stephen Zegura, with whom Dave often locked horns (or rather walked away and into my office rather than locking horns), especially about the finer points of raising a young son. He was an amazing father, scholar, and colleague. After I left for UA for Michigan State University, we continued to stay in touch through professional meetings. I was deeply saddened to encounter his obituary. The world has lost a truly wonderful man. I I send my condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and former students.

Gerry Sussman

January 27, 2025

So, so sorry to learn of Dave´s passing. What wonderful memories of our time together at the Crest House, Fran. My deepest condolences!
Gerry Sussman

Sarah ferguson

January 26, 2025

Please accept my deepest sympathy. I am Sarah (nee weaver) born in 1946. So any one with my last name touches my heart. My story is that I knew little of my family and ancestors but i have been proud of the humanity of the ones I did speak to. That said, I feel that Mr David looked forward to each day to accomplish good goals and to live a good life. May God bless you all during this time of grief.

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