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Donations in David's memory may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
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André Godin uploaded photo(s)
Monday, December 23, 2024
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Every moment spent in Dave's company was always a moment of joy and deepening. A companion lucid and aware, in all matters, while constantly cheerful and inherently generous. He was my first and most preeminent mentor, both professionally and in my personal development. Being my master's advisor at UNB he later became a colleague at USM where, incidentally, we both received the US Navy medal for Superior Public Service from Admiral K.E. Barbor, for our contribution to the establishment of the USM's Master degree program in Hydrography Science, a contribution that came in large part from Dave. Unfortunately for me, I returned to work at the CHS while David pursued with the academic institutions; I would have been so delighted to stay close with him on a daily basis. I am sad he's now gone.
Cory, Tara, Trevor, please accept my sincere condolences. You had a wonderful father.
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Kyle posted a condolence
Friday, December 20, 2024
My sincerest condolences to the family. I was a student of Dr. Wells at the University of Southern Mississippi while working for the Navy and obtaining my Masters degree under him. He was an impressive mind in the science of hydrography and I could never forget him. My first introduction to him is when he taught the Multi-Beam Training Course at the Bellagio in 2005 before it was destroyed by hurricane Katrina. He was a legend in the community and no doubt touched thousands of lives alone in that venture. I remember him fondly and is certainly one of the most foundational professors I've ever had. I have to admit, he was on another level, and though my tiny brain tried to comprehend his lessons, they didn't all soak in! He was so gifted, and so kind. A great man, if there ever was one.
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Monica Parry posted a condolence
Thursday, December 12, 2024
I have just learned of David's passing and I feel a tremendous loss of a kind, considerate, and hard-working gentleman. I met David through Diabetes Action Canada and then worked in collaboration with David to develop decision aids to support patient partnerships in research. This work was supported and completed in conjunction with Clinical Trials Ontario. David taught me the absolute value of collaboration and partnership, and for that I will be forever grateful. I am really sorry for this loss.
Warmly, Monica Parry
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Corey Wells posted a condolence
Monday, December 9, 2024
From Tracy Mcquire-
I am deeply sorry for your loss. David was a cherished friend to our Network and such a wonderful person to be around. In his memory, we’ve put together a tribute story on our website to share this sad news with all our colleagues. We have also informed the leadership at the MSSU SPOR Unit about this loss.
Please know that our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. David was such a fine man and we will all miss him dearly.
https://diabetesaction.ca/celebrating-the-life-of-patient-partner-david-wells/
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Steven Lohrenz posted a condolence
Saturday, December 7, 2024
I had the privilege and pleasure of working with Dave at University of Southern Mississippi. Dave had an exceptional depth of knowledge of hydrography and ocean mapping, acoustics, and many other topics. He was highly respected in his field and was a tremendous asset to our graduate program as well as a wonderful colleague. He and Solveig were gracious hosts at events at their home and fascinating and delightful people. Dave was always keen to be in line for the newest round of iPhone technology and always had new and fun ideas to share. I am glad to have had the opportunity to work with him and I offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends.
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Elizabeth Hamilton posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
I feel like we’ve lost another member of our family. Dave was one of the cadre of exceptional talent that made up the Dept. of Surveys and Mapping/Geodesy & Geomatics when Dad was on the search for the best talent in the field. Dave and Solveig were both so vibrant and involved in life; both my Mom (Margaret) and Dad (Angus) valued their friendship and enthusiasm tremendously. Dave has given us a great legacy upon which his students and colleagues will continue to build. We will always remember him with respect, and warmth.
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Susan G. Montague posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
It was a privilege to know Dave through UNB. I worked in fundraising and public relations. He was always positive and enthusiastic about the University and his work, a person who brought joy and encouragement to every conversation. Even after he left UNB, he remained connected to the community and is remembered with respect and fondness by those who knew him.
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Ioana Popescu posted a condolence
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
My sincere condolences to David's family and friends! I met David when he joined Patients for Patient Safety Canada (PFPSC) and got to know him better when he was a co-chair and during our in-person meetings. His expressed his passion for safer healthcare with kindness, humour and encouragement. David's legacy will continue to inspire me and all of our volunteers to improve safety. He will be dearly missed.
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Steve Grant uploaded photo(s)
Monday, December 2, 2024
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Dear Cory, Tara and Trevor, please accept our most sincere condolences for your loss. I first met your dad about 1971 when I started work with the Canadian Hydrographic Service Navigation Group at BIO. I got to know him better at UNB in 1975 when he was finishing his PhD and I was starting my MSc. And a few years later I especially treasure the 3 to 4 years he and I worked together developing BIONAV (Bedford Institute of Oceanography Integrated Navigation System). He was the most hard working, intelligent and inspiring person I have ever known. It was a real pleasure and challenge to work with him and learn from him; he was a great and patient teacher. As you may recall, we spent many months at sea together during those years. I have attached a couple of pictures from that period.
Although we moved off in slightly different directions after BIONAV we always kept in touch and he was always interested in what I was doing and on a number of occasions went out of his way to help me with the various technical problems I was dealing with. It was a great honour to have been his friend and colleague. We will miss him.
Steve & Karen Grant
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Gary Henderson posted a condolence
Monday, December 2, 2024
My sincerest condolences to Dave's family.
I was associated with Dave many times over the years: at BIO, in Tadoussac, PQ, as an undergraduate at UNB while Dave was doing his PhD, sailing together on the Hudson, GPS course in St. Andrew's, NB, co-op student experience for Dave's class on my St. John River survey, etc. He was a gentleman, scholar, and one of the smartest and most dedicated people I have ever met.
My thoughts are with you.
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Stelios Mertikas uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, December 1, 2024
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I met Dave in September 1980 when he took over the post of Professor at UNB. I joined UNB at the same time, as his first Master’s student, his first Lab instructor and later his first PhD student. During these 8 years of our close collaboration with Dave Wells, I had the privilege to meet an authentic Canadian, a person of integrity, of honesty, brilliance, another “father”, and above all a very close friend. A person who was always tireless, as nobody could ever compete with him. He could sleep only 3 hours over 3 days with no problem and always be vibrant and fresh. We thought he was immortal. We had the opportunity to discuss for hours scientific ideas and problems or share personal thoughts, or to travel together to many places, such as to Saint Andrews, NB, with students for hydrographic field surveys, to the Azores with Canadian Research Vessel Hudson from Saint Jonh's, Newfoundland, to so many conferences and meetings in the world. During his vacations, he stayed in our place in Greece when he visited us with Solveig in the summer of 1983. So many treasured memories, moments and photos with him.
I was extremely lucky to have met and spent a major part of my life with him, almost every day and for so long, as he forged me to become a better person, a better teacher and scientist, a pristine character, as he was. My deepest condolences to Wendy, Tara and Corey. I thought he was immortal and cannot believe that Dave is not with us.
Stelios Mertikas, Technical University of Crete
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Michelle Douglas posted a condolence
Saturday, November 30, 2024
Condolences to the family of Dr Dave Wells. He was a friend of my father, G.Ross Douglas (died 2016) for decades. They were colleagues at the Bedford Institute and perhaps through the Canadian Hydrographic Service. I remember Dave and Wells family, especially from Dartmouth, over many years. I also remember my dad being so impressed by Dave's keen mind, intellect and creativity. He was a household name for more than fifty years, I'm sure. Saddened by his passing.
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John O’Neill posted a condolence
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Gentleman and scholar… David was a model of generosity, modesty and, beyond knowledgeable, he showed great wisdom.
A funny story, here’s a prof with this impeccable reputation and for his guest lecture in my first year… don’t think he talked about engineering once. 60% was exploring photos of Solveigs quilting. He obviously had his priorities straight and loved his family.
He will be missed - my heartfelt condolences…
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Colin posted a condolence
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Through his generosity and mentorship David Wells gave my first big break in academia. He proposed that we apply for and NSERC strategic grant to develop tools for processing data from multibeam echo sounding systems which were then coming into use by hydrographic services. He proposed that I be the Principal Investigator on this large grant, where it would have been more natural for him to play that role, since he was a senior researcher involved and I was just beginning as an assistant professor of computer science. This grant launched the UNB ocean mapping group and it helped me establish my lab as a center for data visualization in Canada. He was a role model of patience, unselfishness and hard work.
Colin Ware
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Donna Davis Posted Dec 3, 2024 at 11:26 AM
My condolences to the family of David Wells. I had the pleasure of welcoming and working with David at Patients For Patient Safety Canada (PFPSC) His wisdom and humor shone through in our work to make care safer for patients in Canada. Thank you David.
Donna Davis, former Co-chair PFPSC
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Larry Mayer uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
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It is hard to imagine our community without Dave Wells. Dave was a visionary and dynamo who blazed new trails in hydrography and ocean mapping, trained and inspired hundreds, if not thousands of students, and left a legacy of creativity and change that will have an impact for generations. I first met Dave in about 1988 when he found me in the Oceanography Dept at Dalhousie University and asked me to help add a bit of “ocean” to a proposal he was writing to create an NSERC Chair in Ocean Mapping at UNB. I remember driving to New Brunswick into the coldest weather I had ever experienced but instantly warming in the glow of the brilliance, enthusiasm and good cheer that was Dave. We knocked the proposal off, it got funded, and then I spent a year or so trying to help UNB find an appropriate candidate for the Chair. Finally, when none of the qualified candidates were willing, I reluctantly agreed to become the Chair.
That decision led to nine wonderful years of daily interaction with Dave at UNB and then continued interaction as Dave pursued multiple post-retirement adventures at UNH, USM and elsewhere. Throughout this time, I witnessed Dave’s dedication to teaching and his limitless energy for exploring new directions in hydrography and ocean mapping. For more than twenty years, I had the privilege of traveling with Dave as we taught a multibeam sonar course in venues worldwide. After a full day of teaching Dave would immerse himself in the culinary and cultural delicacies of each venue. The delight in Dave’s eyes as he ate a dozen (or two or three dozen) oysters, or licked the spoon after eating a crème brulee was a wonderful sight. And after the other (younger) instructors had called it an evening, Dave would head off to a local opera or Fado or other cultural offering.
He has touched so many lives and inspired so many students. He built the ocean mapping programs at UNB and USM and played an important part in our center at UNH (and of course was mentor to many of our faculty). He was a remarkable educator, scholar, and most importantly a remarkably kind and generous person. His influence on the ocean mapping community in Canada, the U.S. and worldwide will be a lasting legacy and to ensure that his name will be on the tips of the tongues of our students, we will be naming our primary teaching venue at UNH “The Dave Wells Memorial Classroom.”
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Wabbit1957@gmail.com Posted Nov 30, 2024 at 7:19 AM
I was in a small market in Paros, Greece today and saw a row of pepper mills, each with a different colour of peppercorns. It brought back memories of Dave's office (not sure which Uni - perhaps all of them). I think he was trying to convince me to pursue a doctorate, but he was too honest and told me the number of hours per week he put in. He'd just grind some pepper into his hand and eat it straight. Funny how small thing can trigger big memories.
Rob Hare
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Leonel Manteigas uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
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Like many hydrographers of the Portuguese Navy, I had the privilege of having Dave as supervisor for my master's degree at UNB.
The Portuguese Navy Cross received in 2013 was in recognition of his contribution to the Portuguese Hydrographic Institute, the Portuguese Navy and Portugal.
Dave was an excellent person, a fantastic supervisor and lecturer, and undoubtedly had a marked influence on my life.
Rest in peace Dave.
Leonel Manteigas
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Semme Dijkstra posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
If I can only affect a single student's life as positively and deeply as Dave affected countless students during his career, I will consider mine a success. It is hard to express how big a role Dave played in my life for nearly 35 years. Dave always was the first to recognize the good in people, often before they saw it themselves; he would do everything in his might to foster talent and encourage those around him. For me personally, I would have never considered doing a doctorate if he had not persuaded me to consider doing so; thereby fundamentally altering the arc of my life in a manner that I am grateful for. While teaching some of the academic courses that he originated many years ago I still feel his influence on a near daily basis .
It is with great pain that I say farewell - my condolences to all family and friends. I hope you take strength from knowing the tremendous good that Dave brought to the world.
Semme
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Mary Ogilvie posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
I am so sorry to hear of David’s passing. I remember him as cheerful and enthusiastic, with a remarkable capacity for work.
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Stéphane Thériault posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Upon graduating from UNB's Surveying Engineering program, Dr. Wells encouraged me to join that small, yet promising company led by his friend, Dr. Salem Masry. That piece of advice turned into a fulfilling, 32-years career with Universal Systems Ltd / CARIS. During those years, I was able to witness major advancements in the hydrographic sector, many of which resulting from Dr. Wells' leadership and initiative.
Merci beaucoup Dr. Wells.
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Dennis Kingston posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Dave was one of my favourite professors at UNB. I also got to work with him later on helping out on a multi beam course in St. Andrews, NB. Condolences.
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A.J. Pearson posted a condolence
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Colleague, professor and friend for more than a decade, Dr. Wells was one of the best. He’s an inspiration for all scientists. His life enhanced my life. The world is a better place because Dave.
When Dr Wells talked about GPS, he was talking about the concept, satellites 1, 2, and the launch of the entire constellation. He was there at the beginning of measuring position from space. May his memory live through eternity.
A.J. Pearson
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Denis Hains posted a condolence
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Dr. David Wells was a TITAN of the world Hydrographic community. More importantly than his outstanding knowledge and innovative thinking that benefited the world, Dave was the most generous, kind and dedicated human being to all who had the privilege to be in his network. I was one of them!
Sincere sympathies to all his friends and family.
Thank you & RIP dear Dave.
Denis Hains, former Hydrographer General of Canada of the Canadian Hydrographic Service
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Nicole Mountain posted a condolence
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
I was one of his students at USM. He genuinely cared about every one of us and cared deeply for our learning. He enjoyed learning about just about any field and we had several discussions about Educational theories.
I speak of him highly and know he will be missed deeply by so many. My deepest condolences to his family
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Joe Tomasovsky uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
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We had some great insightful conversations when I drove David to, and from, the airport.
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Anand Hiroji posted a condolence
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
I was fortunate to have Dave as a mentor in my professional career. He was the most generous person I have ever met, deeply caring for his students and colleagues. He truly cherished every moment of his life. May his soul rest in peace.
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Glen Jordan posted a condolence
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Corey, Tara, Trevor, and Wendy
It was my good fortune that my wife Debbie introduced me to Dave. She came to know Dave while working in the Surveying Engineering Department at UNB when Dave was a grad student back in the early 70s, and subsequently as a prof into the 80s. At one particular social gathering of SE folks I happened to mention to Dave that I had just taken up downhill skiing. He was immediately interested. He said that in his younger years he had been very active in downhill skiing but hadn’t been on downhill skis for many years. Without hesitation he asked to join me on my next Saturday or Sunday outing at the local ski hill - Crabbe Mountain. Thus began a long downhill skiing friendship. Many years and dollars later, we had the latest gear, skied numerous ski hills, and each had a chalet on Crabbe Mountain. Many good times, on many different ski hills, and with many good discussions riding up the chairlifts. So many good memories. Our downhill skiing journey was typical Dave - no half measures. You can’t say Dave didn’t take full advantage of the time he had here on earth.
Sincere condolences of course,
Glen Jordan
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Stephan Howden posted a condolence
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Dave was an extraordinary individual. Among his many fine qualities was his generous spirit. This was exemplified in the dedication he brought to teaching and mentoring, which has resulted in an incredibly impactful legacy. We will all miss him very much.
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Darrin Verge posted a condolence
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
it is with deepest sadness that a true mentor from the community has left us. i send my deepest condolences and thoughts to the family. i truly appreciate all David gave to us. Darrin Verge
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Uchechukwu Erege posted a condolence
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Dr. Wells was more than just a professor to me—he was a patient mentor, and an inspiration. His wisdom and encouragement really impacted me positively during my time at the University of Southern Mississippi, and I will always be grateful for the lessons he shared. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones. Keep soaring on Eagles Wings Professor!
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Demitris Delikaraoglou posted a condolence
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
It is with great sadness that I received news of the untimely passing of Professor Dave Wells. He was a teacher, a great mentor and an inspiration to many of us who knew him, and a great friend to me personally.
I gained hugely from the insight, intellectual rigour and generous support and teaching advice that he gave me during my PhD years at UNB in the late 1970's, and I am very grateful for this. During our "GPS Research & Development" early years that followed at UNB, I had the pleasure of working with him. To this day I value greatly the wisdom, tact and generosity he showed me as a colleague, and I often bring back to mind the many occassions that we shared a pleasant lunch and a cup of coffee on the pretext of discussing research results.
My sincere condolences and greatest sympathies to his family. I wish them a long life, to cherish his memory for his energy, his kidness and sensitivity to the needs of others, his delightful good humour, and above all his warm and generous nature. May his soul rest in peace.
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Stephan O'Brien posted a condolence
Monday, November 25, 2024
I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family of Professor Wells. I learned a lot from Professor Wells during my time at The University of Southern Mississippi. He had a passion for his work, and was also a dedicated husband to his late wife Solveig Wells. May his soul rest in peace.
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Costas Armenakis posted a condolence
Monday, November 25, 2024
To the Wells family: I am very sorry for your loss. I had the privilege to know Prof Wells and having him as teacher during my graduate studies years at UNB. He was a dedicated, enthusiastic, and inspired scientist, engineer and teacher. We will miss him...
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Adebowale E Adedoyin posted a condolence
Monday, November 25, 2024
To the Wells Family,
Dr. Wells’ was an extraordinary mentor, professor, and scientist whose passion and dedication inspired everyone around him. His guidance and wisdom have left an indelible mark on the lives of countless people.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this difficult time. May you find comfort in the legacy of knowledge and kindness he leaves behind. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Sincerely,
Adebowale E Adedoyin
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Johnson O. Oguntuase posted a condolence
Monday, November 25, 2024
Corey, Tara, and Trevor,
May you find the strength to bear the loss of your father. Please accept my condolences, and may his gentle soul rest in peace. Dr. Wells was not just a mentor but a father in every sense. I first met him in 2015 at the University of Southern Mississippi, and his exceptional work ethic left a lasting impression on me. Beyond his role in supervising my PhD dissertation, his guidance shaped my academic journey and career. I have the privilege of teaching all the courses he once taught here until Spring 2021. His memory will always remain in my heart.
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Sunil Bisnath posted a condolence
Monday, November 25, 2024
To the Wells family. I had the honour and pleasure of studying with Dave at UNB and working with him at USM. I will remember the science, the academics, great questions and imagination, the humour and laughing, the meals and the Mardi Gras parties. Dave had such a big impact on so many of us. He will be missed. He can't be replaced.
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John McLaughlin posted a condolence
Monday, November 25, 2024
Prof David Wells was one of the last of a world-class team who built UNB's Surveying Engineering programme (as it was then known) into the best academic department in its field on the planet. His legacy of scholarship and teaching in hydrography and ocean mapping had a profound global influence. Dr. Wells enriched the lives of many and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family in this very sad time.
John McLaughlin
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Calvin Martin posted a condolence
Monday, November 25, 2024
Corey, Tara, and Trevor,
I want to extend my deepest condolences to you and your family during this difficult time. Your father was one of the most brilliant individuals I have ever had the privilege of meeting. His extraordinary intellect, dedication, and contributions have left an indelible mark on the field of Hydrography.
I am truly sorry for your loss and will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. May you find strength and comfort as you navigate this grieving process. Please know that his legacy will continue to inspire so many in our field and beyond.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Calvin Martin
University of Southern Mississippi
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David posted a condolence
Monday, November 25, 2024
My condolences to Corey, Tara and Trevor. Your father was a constant in my academic, professional and personal life for over 40 years. We was my advisor on all three of my degrees and was instrumental in moving me and my family to MS and the University of Southern Mississippi, where he actually worked for me, or so he liked to say anyway - he never worked for anyone other than his students.
I am very sorry for you loss
Dave
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