Geoffrey David Heath

Geoffrey David Heath (“David”) died at home in Wilmington on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022 with his wife of 36 years, Naomi Kleid, at his side. David was predeceased by his brother Cyril Edward Heath of Poole, England, and by his parents John Edward Heath (“Jack”) and Nielia Harrison Heath of Bournemouth, England.

David is survived by his sister, Pamela Mary Lee of Southwick, England; and by his sons by his first marriage: Gavin Victor Heath (Frederique Lantani) and Tarquin Nicholas Heath (Jessica Heath), and by Tarquin and Jessica’s daughter Victoria Heath, of France.

David was born April 9, 1936 in Lancing, England. His earliest WW II memories were of German bombs falling near his home, sleeping in an Anderson shelter in his living room, getting strafed by a German fighter plane while playing on the beach, and going to school with his gas mask.   

When the war ended, David enjoyed high-school at the Portchester School for Boys, where his favorite subjects were mathematics and French. David went to Bournemouth Municipal College where he earned the London University Advanced Certificates in pure and applied math, chemistry, and physics.

After college, he did his National Service in the Royal Navy.  When David decided to “settle” down. He worked in London for 10 years at the International Publications Corporation developing technical articles.

He was sent to interview a manager at the IBM Hursley development lab; afterwards, the manager interviewed David and asked if David spoke French; there was an opening at the IBM France development lab in La Gaude, near the French Riviera. David worked there for the next 20 years, becoming lead technical editor. He also enjoyed sailing and racing his bicycle on the high mountain roads.

During an international assignment to IBM RTP, David met the love of his life, Naomi Kleid, another IBMer. They were married in 1986 by an Ecumenical Minister on a sail boat on the Hudson River. After returning to La Gaude for several years, they relocated to the US. At each location where they worked, David became lead technical editor. He also became a US citizen.

David maintained his French language skills and passed the rigorous tests to become a French-to-English translator, certified by the American Translator’s Association.

In 2005 David and Naomi retired to Wilmington where David worked a retirement job as an official translator for the French Consulate in Atlanta, and he volunteered at the Battleship. He was a long-time member and lector at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (North 16th Street, Wilmington).

Geoffrey David Heath will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and neighbors for his pleasant, sweet and gentle manner; ready sense of humor; strong determination; and happy adventurous spirit.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm Sunday October 16th at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church located at 16th and Market Streets, Wilmington. The family will receive guests at the church hall after the service. Online condolences may be made at https://www.andrewsmortuary.com/

If you would like to attend the service but cannot travel to the church on Sunday, the link below will allow you to the view the service live.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAtzRfOF0_ob_ZOdZE0hsAQ