I just learned of David’s passing and I am sorry to have missed his celebration of life. My deepest sympathy to Doreen and her family. I send her all my love and pray that she is blessed with peace, joy, and much-needed comfort.
I worked with David as an Administrator for three decades (except for the years when he was Physics Division Director). Working with David gave me the opportunity to excel and challenged me to reach my maximum potential. I don’t believe I will ever come across someone like him. He will stand alone for his uniqueness, Scottish warmth, and his love for Physics. David was very accomplished as Leader of a Physics Research Group, SLAC Particle Physics Faculty Chairman, Particle Physics Division Director, SLAC Summer Institute Director, SLAC Graduate Student Advisor, as well as a chair or participant of many committees, reviews, and professional activities which kept him very involved in the local and international Physics community.
I offer my deepest sympathies to his family. I am grateful to Blair Ratcliff and Anna Braun for kindly sharing information during this difficult time. David was a crucial mentor for me since the 1970s. I am very sad I cannot join you for the memorial service because I am recuperating from surgery.
Sharon Traweek
David was a giant at SLAC whose efforts for the good of the laboratory we greatly appreciated. He is missed. Our sincere condolences to Doreen and David's family. They have endured more than their share over the years. May David's memory be a blessing.
We are so saddened by the loss of our dear friend David. I will especially miss his big bear hugs during the passing of peace in our church services. He was a wise leader of our church, and a compassionate nurturer of our church community. He will be deeply missed!
My deepest condolences to the whole family. I worked under Doreen at the blood center. She was the one who hired me 20 years ago. Give my love to Doreen. Monica
It was with a sad heart that I received news of David’s passing. I worked for many years in the Research Division at SLAC under David’s leadership. He was unfailingly kind and supportive to me in my career as well as emotionally supportive to a group that I managed during some difficult times. He will be greatly missed. My sincere condolences to Doreen and the entire Leith family.
I'm so grateful for David's wise and humble leadership through the years. Now you are surrounded by God's love and light. We miss you already dear friend.
The words "deepest sympathy" are so inadequate, especially when referring to the loss of a gentle, caring person like David. He shared his light with many of us, and will be sorely missed! Thank you, Anna, for your messages on this site, you have been a caring bridge indeed. Thanks also to all the Leith family for the thoughtful, loving way you honored David's wishes in terms of treatment decisions, and for sharing these messages with us. May you find comfort in the words that reach you and in knowing that many of us will be carrying the memory of David's heart and his compassion with us as we go forward in our earthly lives.
I worked with David as an Administrator for three decades (except for the years when he was Physics Division Director). Working with David gave me the opportunity to excel and challenged me to reach my maximum potential. I don’t believe I will ever come across someone like him. He will stand alone for his uniqueness, Scottish warmth, and his love for Physics. David was very accomplished as Leader of a Physics Research Group, SLAC Particle Physics Faculty Chairman, Particle Physics Division Director, SLAC Summer Institute Director, SLAC Graduate Student Advisor, as well as a chair or participant of many committees, reviews, and professional activities which kept him very involved in the local and international Physics community.