In June of 1984, a young man with a brand-spanking new PhD moved his fledgling family to the Middle-of-Nowhere, New Mexico, and began a career as a nuclear chemist. Because Dave, like many in our government laboratory town, often works on classified projects about which he can not speak, I have, over the years, referred to to his job as "keeping the world safe for Democracy."
Over his 34 years at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Dave has done many things: volcano studies, environmental restoration projects, air quality studies, ground water studies, and, indeed, things that I don't know about that do keep the world safe for Democracy. He has faithfully given his time and talents to the jobs set before him, working through life's crises: including new babies, his own cancer, all my health issues, raising his boys, welcoming grandchildren, and caring for aging parents. Through all that time, he was a servant to those around him, always ready to help and encourage and get along, even with hard-to-get-along-with scientists. He has provided well for his family, and served his country. He is my hero.
Congratulations on your retirement, Dave. Well done! And I can't wait to see what adventures lie ahead of us!
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