David Gibbs Westbrook Jr.

He grew up in Fayetteville, Arkansas where he graduated from high school in 1990. In 1995 he was awarded his BS in microbiology from the University of Arkansas and earned his MS in food science/ microbiology from Alabama A&M in 1998. For over 20 years he was employed as a research scientist and lab manager for the University of Alabama Medical Center and was most recently working with the Christian Faul Lab studying cardiac and renal diseases. He was an active community volunteer.

David is survived by his wife Virginia (Ginny) Morgan Westbrook of Birmingham, parents Darlene and Pat Tobin of Fayetteville, Arkansas and Kelli and David G. Westbrook, Sr. of Little Rock, Arkansas; by his brother John Westbrook and wife Holly and daughter Vivienne of Houston; by two stepsisters, Stacy Tobin Keenan and husband James and their children Patrick, Mitchell and Kristina of Bentonville, Arkansas; and Susan Tobin of Fayetteville, Arkansas; and in-laws Kathleen and Ray Watkins. Also left behind are loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends and colleagues in the Birmingham community to whom the family owes their deepest gratitude. David’s dog Dankers, his loyal and constant companion, also survives.

A private family memorial will be held in Fayetteville, Arkansas at a later date. To honor David and his life’s work the family respectfully requests memorials be made to the Greater Birmingham Animal Humane Society, gbhs.org; Birmingham AIDS Outreach, birminghamaidsoutreach.org; or to a charity of choice.