David Smith (1949-1956)
| David Smith | |
|---|---|
 David Smith | |
| Born | c1938 |
| Died | 18 April 1994 (aged 56) |
| Education | Boston Grammar School (1949-1956) |
| Spouse | Ming |
| Children | Paul, Nicola and Dominic |
David Smith was educated at Boston Grammar School (1949-1956).
Obituary
Published in the August 1995 issue of The Old Bostonian
David Smith of 45 Hartwell Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes.
Friends and colleagues of David Smith were shocked and saddened by the news of his sudden and untimely death on 18 April 1994. David was 56.
David became ill whilst returning from visiting his mother in Lincolnshire and died the next day without regaining consciousness.
The large congregation at his funeral service, held at St James Parish Church, Hanslope, was a poignant testimony to the esteem in which he was held. Among his accomplishments David was a keen musician - a skilled and dedicated clarinet player who was renowned for his sensitive playing.
At the church, a wind quartet, composed of some of his close friends and fellow musicians performed movements from well known works by Haydn and Mozart - pieces that David would have very much enjoyed playing.
Afterwards, at Crownhill Crematorium, Sue Griffith — a close family friend, Rob Connelly - from Management Services, and Roger Whatmore - a fellow musician paid tribute to David from their different perspectives.
David’s close friend and associate Tony Tomkins writes of him as follows:
I had known David from April 1971, when he joined the Data Processing Division (as MSD was then titled) initially as a Systems Analyst. in the intervening years he had played a prominent part in virtually every aspect of divisional life.
From 1975 onwards David undertook the duties of Project Manager, and his detailed knowledge of the computer based applications that supported the University's teaching, administration and operations activities, was unrivalled. Perhaps his closest association was with the Examinations and Assessment area as he had worked with these applications since 1972.
A measure of his contribution was that he was considered as much a member of Academic Administration as of Management Services, having provided outstanding support, in innumerable ways, to that Division and to the students of the Open University. He was unassuming and not one to seek the limelight but his contribution, born of unstinting effort and unfailing patience, was pivotal. Those close to him were particularly appreciative of the important part he played.
Over the years, aside from mainstream activities, David had been involved in a number of related assignments and special projects. In recent years he had undertaken two consultancies to the Allama Iqbal OU in Pakistan on behalf of the British Council which, by virtue of his unique blend of professional expertise and personal qualities, he was eminently well qualified to undertake. He was a courteous and gentlemanly (in contrast to some) participant in divisional sports and social events which he much enjoyed and was a keen squash player.
Notwithstanding his whole-hearted commitment to the University, David found time to pursue his interest in music. He played in many chamber concerts and chamber music evenings on campus. Some will remember lunchtime performances of Glinka's "Trio Pathetique" (with piano and bassoon) and a Rossini Wind Quartet. He also played regularly in orchestral performances - often accompanying the OU choir. As a committee member of the OU Chamber Music Club, David contributed much to the encouragement of chamber music playing at the Open University and spent many hours producing editions of the club's directory of music and musicians.
David had been a very active member of the Wolverton Light Orchestra for twenty years, and in recent years was an extremely effective treasurer. He was a key member of a wind quintet drawn from that orchestra, which performed regularly at WLO concerts, as well as at weddings and other social events. David contributed much to the social life of the orchestra end he will be greatly missed on occasions such as the visits to local hostelries after rehearsals and concerts.
To end on a personal note. It was our custom to take a lunchtime "constitutional" together (to perambulate as David would sometimes term it). I count myself privileged, in that manner and over many years, to have spent these pleasant interludes in his company on most working days. He was an unfailingly cheerful and congenial companion, invariably positive and constructive in his comments - this was especially true of references to people where he would accentuate their good points - and he possessed a gentle sense of humour. His deep personal warmth and friendliness made his excellent company - no matter what the occasion. His passing leaves a gap in many lives - particularly those of his close family - Ming, his wife, Paul, his eldest son, Nicola and Dominic.