I am saddened to learn of David's passing. I met him first in the early 1980s when I was working at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. We were developing an airborne laser system for measuring lower-atmospheric ozone and brought it to Virginia for testing. David and Gerald Gregory measured ozone using an instrument in an aircraft that flew below the aircraft with the laser system. It was determined that the laser system was very sensitive to quartz sand on the surface. I joined NASA Langley in 1989 and enjoyed meeting David again as well as his wife, Pat. I recall him as always having a positive outlook. He will be missed.

When I started at NASA Langley in 1965, Dave went out of his way to befriend me and explained all the computer programs and software that his office was using to study the upper atmosphere at satellite altitudes.  Our group was credited with many important results using those programs, including the Winter Helium Bulge discovery and the finding that hydrogen was three times more abundant at those altitudes than the US Standard Atmosphere had indicated.  The Air Force confirmed these results and uses them today in its Space Battlelab atmospheric model to calculate drag effects for satellite orbit determinations and missile trajectories.  Dave was a recipient of the H. J. Reid Award for the Best Paper at Langley.  Another research paper we co-authored was chosen by the American Chemical Society as a highlighted atmospheric chemistry-related paper of the past during National Chemistry Week in 2003---the only paper selected by the ACS published between the years 1979-1999.  Dave also presented many other research papers on his own and with other collaborators including further research into variations in the lower atmosphere with another group at Langley after completing his Masters degree and Ph.D. coursework at UVA (all A's), but we stayed in touch.  
Dave never had a bad word about anyone and always maintained a positive attitude.  He was a great athlete and a great friend and my wife Margaret and I send our deepest sympathy to Pat and his family.

So very sad to hear of Dave's passing. He was a long time friend and along with Pat we enjoyed many fun times together. His strength and resolve to battle this disease has been an example to all. He will be greatly missed. I will always remember him and his joy in living life fully. My very best to Pat and God Bless.

Pat, Dave was such a kind caring man, a true gentleman. He will be missed by everyone who new him. I loved watching the two of you together, friends and true love. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, so many people care and love you.

All who knew Dave are saddened by his loss.  His was a most courageous battle with cancer these many years fought with a smile and without complaint.  Pat and Dave have been wonderful friends and next door neighbors!  I have often visited wanting to help and provide encouragement.  I always left uplifted by Dave's warm and welcoming spirit.  Pat has been his angel and caregiver extraordinaire...and the world's best chef!!

All who knew Dave are deeply saddened by his loss and uplifted by his strength of mind and body through these difficult years. His was a most courageous battle with cancer fought with a smile and without complaint.  Dave and Pat have been such terrific friends and next door neighbors! I have visited so often wanting to help and deliver words of encouragement. It was Dave that uplifted me with his warm and welcoming ways.  Pat has been his angel and caregiver extraordinaire...and the best world's best chef. He will be missed and remembered.

I am quite saddened to learn of David's passing.  He was truly an exemplary professional, outstanding individual and a great athlete.  We arrived at NASA's Langley Research Center to begin our careers on the same day in June, 1963.  My most sincere condolences to Pat.

OBITUARY

David Stockton McDougal

January 17, 1942 – December 4, 2015

Nelsen Williamsburg

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