David Robert Wakeman

From an early age, David Robert Wakeman was full of wonder and curiosity about the nature of the universe. He expressed much of this wonder through math, a language he shared with his father. As a young child in New Hampshire and New Jersey, he set a goal to count to a million. And he did it. Later, as an aerospace engineer, he unlocked mathematical sequences to develop multiple patents for radar detection systems. He pondered mysteries like the origin of the stars, space travel, mysticism, and what makes up dark matter.

A loving husband and devoted father and grandfather, David also expressed his wonder through humor. He often made silly faces and noises (a signature quack accompanied by a sideways smile)—all to evoke laughter in those closest to him. When they were young, his children and grandchildren were regular wreaths around his neck or astride his back. He never tired of launching them from his shoulders in our swimming pool. As the oldest of six, David first assumed this role of charming children with his four younger brothers and sister.

David married his sweetheart, Rita, in 1968, only eight months after they met at a graduate mixer in Cambridge, MA. They celebrated their 57th anniversary this past June 22nd. Their two children, Elana and Liza, and their three grandchildren were with him to celebrate both his 85th birthday and this last wedding anniversary.

David earned a Bachelor of Science degree from MIT, a Master’s in Electoral Engineering from Northeastern University, and a Ph.D. in Physics from Brown University. While he started carrying a suitcase as a teenager, he continued to tote it every day for over fifty years of his engineering career. Most who knew him professionally referred to David as Dr. Wakeman.

With Rita, his partner not just in marriage but also at the duplicate bridge table, David was a bridge Sapphire Life Master and a well-respected player. His love of the game came from his father, Bob, who was both an engineer and a pro bridge player. His mother, Ruth, owned the largest bridge club in New Jersey. As a rule, David was keenly competitive, especially with himself, always striving to improve, whether it was to gain mastery in bridge, golf, board games, skiing, or simply holding his breath longer than anyone at the table while singing the thirteenth verse of the Passover song “Who Knows One?”

David was fearless, good-natured, and without guile. He was always willing to make a late-night grocery run when requested. And he was never afraid to tackle a challenge, as small as ridding the house of unwanted pests (one time, a bat!), or as large as confronting difficult situations. Sometimes his curiosity would get the better of him, and he would wander off on a trail or in a crowd, unaware of the passage of time. While this behavior caused his wife to worry, he always found his way back with a sheepish grin and a hug.

You would not know it from his slim physique, but David never said no to seconds. He took his time to enjoy every bite. At his recent 85th birthday party in Laguna Woods, California, he was asked what wisdom he wanted to share with his family. David smiled and stated, “Life is a gift.” He was loved, had loved, and was grateful for the entire magical journey.

David is survived by his wife, Rita K. Wakeman; daughters Elana Wakeman and Liza Wakeman; grandchildren Rebecca Godoi, Natasha Godoi, and Aubrey Orf; and siblings, Kenneth Wakeman, Cynthia Bates, Gregory Wakeman, and Douglas Wakeman.