David Collier Hasty

David Hasty passed away peacefully at his home in San Clemente, California on January 22 at age 67, comforted by his wife Daiva Hasty and friends. Throughout a more than decade-long battle with prostate cancer, he never wavered in his determination, despaired of his circumstances, or compromised the grace and dignity with which he lived his life.

David Collier Hasty was born in 1948 in Fort Myers, Florida, the son of Wayland and Olivette Hasty, and raised in Decatur, Georgia and Orange, Virginia. A graduate of Orange County High School, as a senior he started at defensive end for the Orange Hornets football team that in 1966 achieved the only undefeated season in school history, for a record that still stands today. While a resident of Orange he also served on the volunteer fire department before starting his college education. His undergraduate work at the University of Virginia was interrupted by a term of service in the Air Force from 1970-1974, stationed at MacDill air base in Tampa, Florida where in addition to other duties he served on the Honor Guard. Returning to UVA, he received an undergraduate degree in history and earned an MBA from the prestigious Colgate Darden School of Business in 1976. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity at the University of Virginia, making friendships maintained throughout his life.

Recruited straight into the executive ranks of the food industry, he had Product Management responsibility over key parts of the product line first at Campbell Soup, then Ore-Ida which was a division of the Heinz Corporation. David later moved to Heinz corporate, working as a senior business analyst involved in company acquisition and assimilation. Despite considerable success in the executive ranks, at age 42 he took pause in this lucrative first stage of his career to reassess his life and professional expectations.

As a student of history always curious about the wider world, in a move that signified his bold and adventuress nature David embarked alone on a nine month sojourn visiting Europe, the Mediterranean, Russia, Southeast Asia, the Far East and Australia. He made lasting friendships on this journey, broadening his views of people and life worldwide and gaining a new personal perspective for himself personally. Upon completing his travels he decided to move to Southern California, starting his own marketing consulting business. He later moved to the real estate financing industry, becoming Vice President of Marketing for Long Beach Mortgage, Aames Home Loans and Ameriquest. His time spent in mortgage financing was defined by success personally, but also in the guidance and mentorship of other employees he worked with and managed.

Within a few years he met his future wife, Daiva Jusionis, and was readily embraced by Daiva’s family. Marrying in 2002, they enjoyed nearly 13 loving years sharing varied interests, encompassing activities from athletics to the arts. The diversity of these common interests led to not only a loving relationship, but also a great friendship. Dave is remembered by his friends and family as the quintessential “southern gentleman”, living a life defined as someone of grace and character who could be counted on to do the right and ethical thing, while also showing caring for other people.

A beloved husband and brother, David Hasty is survived by his wife Daiva Hasty and her sons Tadas, Darius, Kestutis and his wife Michelle and daughter Brooklyn. Also his sister Caroline Hasty Campagna and her husband Joseph Campagna of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and brother Richard and wife Barbara Hasty of Fredericksburg, Virginia. He was preceded in death by another brother Arthur Hasty.