David Lott Inglefield, a retired attorney for the Federal Trade Commission in Washington D.C., died unexpectedly in his sleep at his in-law’s home in Metairie, Louisiana. His beloved wife of 19 years, Jacqueline Ehle Inglefield, was by his side. His three youngest children were visiting their maternal grandparents at Sunset Beach and his two oldest children were also vacationing nearby.
Dave had recently been renovating his home in New Orleans, swimming and watching the Olympic swimming events with enthusiasm. He had been an enthusiastic volunteer in the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccination study (along with his family) and had completed his vaccinations many months ago. He generously risked his own health in order to help others.
Dave was born at Tripler Hospital in Honolulu, U.S. Territory of Hawaii. His father, Joseph Inglefield, Jr., was a pediatric allergist and his mother, Effie Inglefield (nee Carothers), was the manager of her husband’s medical practice. Dave was named for Effie’s beloved Uncle, David Lott, who helped raise her. Both of his parents were born and raised in Duquesne, PA.
Dave attended and graduated in 1977 from St Albans School on the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., where he earned the title of Prefect and the prestigious Book award in 8th grade, and was named a National Merit Scholar. He matriculated first to Duke University, then received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania.
He obtained his Juris Doctorate degree at George Mason University School of Law in 1991 and joined the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Competition upon graduation. He retired from the FTC in 2014 following a distinguished career, where he was responsible for many of the FTC’s enforcement actions in critical sectors of the US economy, including the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, aerospace and defense industries.
Upon retirement, and after living in Annandale, Virginia and Northeast Washington D.C. for most of his life, Dave moved with his beloved wife, Jackie, and three youngest children to New Orleans, so that Jackie, a painter and sculptor for many years at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria Virginia, could focus on her career in the creative arts. He was an avid fan of his wife’s artwork and often accompanied Jackie and helped set up her art shows at many venues around the D.C. Metropolitan region (including the Department of State and The REACH at Kennedy Center in 2019), Alaska and New Orleans.
An All American Swimmer and Water Polo Player, Dave had been a talented and dedicated athlete from an early age, swimming for Sunbury YMCA and Kipps Run in Danville PA. During a trip to Washington, D.C. for an east coast swimming conference held at St Albans, Dave’s father decided to move the family to the D.C. area in order to provide his children with the best education. Dave went on to swim for the Northern Virginia Aquatic Club, Solotar Swim team, his high school team at St Alban’s (coached by Skip Grant), the Highlands Swim team of the Northern Virginia Swim League in McLean, Virginia as well as at Bucknell University. He was an Interstate Athletic Conference Champion in high school and held pool and league records, some for many years. He also played water polo for the Northern Virginia Aquatic Club and Bucknell University. Teammates from St. Albans and NVAC water polo recall his physical and mental strength, as well as his generosity in teaching others techniques and skill sets.
What Dave loved most, though, were his five children. While in law school, he opted for the 4-year program, taking classes at night so that he could be the primary caregiver for his sons, David Jr. (Buddy) and Evan. His oldest, Buddy, attended Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, majored in Biochemistry and earned his PhD in Chemistry at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Buddy is now married to Abigail (nee Schuhart) and they have a daughter, Diana. His son, Evan, won schoolwide awards in physics and mathematics at Falls Church High School and is currently studying physics at George Mason University. Evan has been in a long, loving relationship with Gabby Sanchez.
Dave’s oldest daughter, Effie, 18 years old, is about to begin her senior year at Benjamin Franklin High School and the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts in New Orleans and is an aspiring singer and actress who recently performed in Starz The Musical, which David was thrilled to attend. While living in NE D.C. she was taught to read by, now Attorney General, Merrick Garland. His next oldest, Michael, 14 years old, is about to enter 9th grade at Lusher Charter School in New Orleans. Dave was excited that Michael (who also participated in the Pfizer vaccination study) used his funding from the study to purchase a full drum set. Michael and Dave recently attended a Herlin Riley (master jazz drummer) concert together. His youngest, Judy, 13 years old, is entering 8th grade at Lusher Charter School. Judy loves to draw and enjoyed sharing her artwork with her Dad. Dave talked most tenderly about how sweet natured and shy his youngest child is. Dave would speak in awe about each of these children saying how kind, smart, talented and wonderful they are.
While living in Annandale and NE D.C., Dave made sure his children had access to all that the Smithsonian Museums had to offer. The entomology section of the National Museum of Natural History was a favorite. He also made sure they were actively involved in cultural events: enjoying the Chinese New Year’s parades in China Town, the Kite and Smithsonian Folklife Festivals held on the Mall each spring and often took his children to the National Arboretum to learn to ride bikes.
Other survivors include Dave’s brother, Joseph T. Inglefield, III of Hickory NC; sister, Effie (Candy) Inglefield Heulitt (Mark) of Bee Branch AR; sister, Wendy Inglefield of Franklin NC; sister Gretchen Inglefield Fearey (Paul) of McLean VA; brother, James O. Inglefield, III of Reston VA; In-laws, John and Judy Ehle of Little River SC, brother-in-law John Ehle III (Kim) of Little River SC and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, Jackie has asked for donations to be made in Dave’s name for the causes and institutions that he loved: The Innocence Project, https://innocenceproject.org/; and Preservation Hall, https://www.preservationhall.com/.
Dave had volunteered to be a part of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccination study in order to make others safe. Please get vaccinated to honor his generosity.
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