Dr. David Henry "Dave" Webster

Executor's Note (Preface):

David had prepared his own obituary for release upon his death.

Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, David's estate has been unable to locate this obituary. When found, copies will be made available to those interested who reach out to [email protected].

The following obituary is presented in place of the original, lovingly written by his family to encompass a life well-lived.

 

Webster, Dr. David Henry "Dave" - 88, of Kentville, Kings County, died peacefully at home on April 26, 2023. Born in Berwick on October 29, 1934, he was the last surviving member of his family in his generation.

He was the youngest son of the late George Edward and Ella Mina (Armstrong) Webster. Dave is survived by his daughter, Janet Mary and her children, Brittany Carin (Steven) Hayes, Kentville; Erik Lars Mosher, Halifax; Anika Callisto Mosher (Toby), Halifax; four great-grandchildren, represented by Alexa London, Emma Mae, Dillin Dalton, and Cameron David-Russell; as well as several nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Dave was predeceased by his wife, Alison Constance (Gray) and their son Alan John; brothers, George Irwin and Leander Morris; sisters, Greta Donaghy, Alberta Wesley and Gladys Perry.

At the age of 16, Dave began studies at Acadia University, receiving a Bachelor of Science before his studies at Yale, where he received a Master of Science. Following this, Dave studied Soil Science at UC Davis, and in 1966 began what would prove to be a successful career as a Research Scientist at the Agriculture Canada Research Station in Kentville.

After his retirement from the Research Station in 1996, Dave maintained a hobbyist interest in woodcarving and wood crafting—taking on students, to whom he demonstrated such arts as snowshoe crafting, and a practice wherein one may carve interlinking chains from a single piece of wood. Notably, Dave had a passion for entomology, which he was happy to practice before, and after retirement; his interest led to him successfully identifying specimens of insect species whose catalogued appearances in Nova Scotia were infrequent, if not absent entirely. (In May of 2022, Dave donated his extensive entomology collection to the New Brunswick Museum in Saint John, NB.) Around this time, Dave would also begin to make detailed contributions to Nature NS' Email discussions, often from a position of advocacy for combatting climate change.

Dave had a strong interest in nature and enjoyed immersing himself in it whenever possible. During a sudden and prolonged overnight rainstorm while performing a land survey, Dave could only think of one remotely dry place to light a match—his teeth, in his mouth. That night, he would plan, and put this rationalization to use—succeeding in lighting a fire that kept him warm until sunrise. He once contemplated that this realization saved his life—and, perhaps lending from this (or other events like it from his many times), would celebrate creative problem-solving, and encourage it in others.

There was never a more inquisitive mind, or drier wit than David. Often a delight, sometimes a contrarian—by times a curmudgeon, and rarely suffering a fool lightly!

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 in the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville. The funeral service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17, in Cambridge Baptist Church, Cambridge. Pastor Joe Gosbee officiating. Interment will take place in Cambridge Cemetery, Cambridge. For those who wish, donations in memory may be made to The Salvation Army, Feed Nova Scotia, and/or CanadaHelps—three charities (among many) to which Dave had made regular contributions. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville. On-line condolences and inquiries may be directed to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.