David Alexander Clark

Born in Aberdeen Scotland in 1934 to Alexander and Sybil, David spent his early years in India, attending St. Paul’s School in Darjeeling, before returning to Aberdeen to complete his education at Robert Gordon’s College, and the University of Aberdeen where he graduated with a B.Sc. in 1957. During his university years, he joined the Air Squadron as a volunteer reservist, developing a long-time love of flying.

David emigrated to Canada in 1957, working in the Exploration department of Mobil Oil in Calgary as an oil geologist until his retirement in 1996. During his career he had two overseas assignments, one in Libya in the early ‘60s, and the other in Indonesia in the ‘90s.

In 1974, David met his lifetime partner Eileen, and together they shared many interests, including hiking and skiing in the Rockies and travelling worldwide.

David’s passion for flying inspired him to become a gliding instructor at the Cu Nim Gliding Club, as well as a formative member of the Southern Alberta Gliding Association. The friendships he made during his flying years in Alberta meant a great deal to him.

In 2004, David and Eileen retired once and for all to the west coast, where they had returned frequently for summer holidays. Over the next two decades they continued to enjoy a variety of exciting travels including South America, Antarctica, Europe and the UK, but of course their trip to India in 2003 for a school reunion was a true highlight, being a place most special to David’s heart.

At home in Saanichton, David was instrumental in helping to set up the Farmlands Trust Society in 2008. He served the Trust as a board member and eventually vice chair before retiring from that role in 2023.

Those who knew David enjoyed the wonderful aspects of his wise and gentle personality. He had a strong interest in reading about WW2 history as well as staying informed of current affairs and was an engaging story teller with a sense of humour always close at hand. His generosity and fairness touched many, even in the briefest encounters.

David will be greatly missed by his loving partner Eileen, his daughters, Ranza and Coralie (Emilio), and son Cameron, as well as grand daughters Isabella, Evelina and Flora, and other family overseas. He is also survived by his ex wife, Jean, mother of his three children.

Our thanks go out to all the nurses at Community Health and the nurses and doctors at Saanich Peninsula Hospital. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Donations can be made to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation.