I did not know until now that David had passed away. We were good friends and co-authors of early Canadian uniform studies in the 1970s and colleagues in Historic Sites. He was a mentor that can never be forgotten.

Unfortunately I didn't get to spend much time with David or my Uncle Howard.  But I did visit them once in Winnipeg, and my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit and conversations with them.  I remember David being so very nice and taking great care of Howard. I am very thankful and glad we made that trip.

David was a true gentleman, and generously shared his knowledge of curatorial work with me. I worked with him for a number of years at Parks Canada and have many fond memories of road trips with him.

David became a welcome member of our family when he and my brother Howard became partners. They were both remarkable and very talented men in their own separate ways. My husband Keith and I had wonderful visits with them several times.  We miss them both.

David was my first boss after I graduated from University in 1973.  He hired me as his assistant when he was the Curator of Collections at the Manitoba Museum.  My wife and I became good friends with him and his partner Howard.  We visited a number of times with them in New Brunswick when he was the Director of the Provincial Museum. Our house is still adorned with many of the fibre art pieces that Howard created. After Howard died, I met David for coffee a number of times when I was in Winnipeg.  He was as kind and gentle man and did not change for the 40 years that I have known him.  He was always the best dressed man that I knew.  He was a very kind and philosophical soul. Even when I hired him for a Curator position at Parks Canada, I told him that I felt very odd hiring him.  He told me not to give it much thought since that is the natural order of things.  The last time I saw him was the day after the 40th reunion of the staff of the Manitoba Museum in 2011.  A number of folks who worked closely with him had lunch with him.  We will remember him forever and thank my lucky stars for knowing him and being his friend.  We will miss you boss!

It was David's inspiration and work that provided me the invaluable opportunity to get involved in museums. His professionalism, knowledge and leadership was always an example to me.

David was a good friend for some 40 years and was the finest man I have ever met. A gentleman in every way - quietly elegant and soft-spoken. He had a great, but never unkind, sense of humour. David and Howard were an important part of my life. And for that I am most grateful. I miss them both and always will.

It was 1975 and David asked me come work for the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature. It was a time there where I met many good people.

I don't recall many conversations with David but each one of them was memorable because of his ability to understand you, your needs, and what may be best for you. I remember his gentleness.

David was a former colleague and a dear friend for almost 30 years. A highly-accomplished man who was modest, dignified, always elegant, and had a wicked sense of humour. My family and I will miss him very much.

OBITUARY

Mr. David James Ross

September 8, 1926 – December 21, 2013

Thomson In The Park Funeral Home and Cemetery

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