Please contribute tributes to David on this page below, or longer stories and/or photos under the Stories tab. And please visit the photo gallery for a visual celebration of David's long and wonderful life.
Condolences or related inquires can also be emailed to david.luce.memorial@gmail.com.
Persons interested in attending a Memorial Celebration for David (date and location TBD) should also send email to david.luce.memorial@gmail.com requesting to be added to the notification list.
Tributes
Leave a tributeIt is nice to think of you and Dave today even though it is a sad day. He was a good man and a good influence. His constant excitement about his projects and about his family was a nice motivator for all of us. I miss him but am glad to have known him. I think of him and of all of you often.
With love, Lisanne Norman
I've just had some time to think more about my time with our beloved Dave Luce. It was sometimes hard to get time with Dave in the latter days as we all worked on difficult products that pushed the edges of knowledge of myself and I'm sure others, both hardware and software. But always with his calm guidance we all seemed to get what needed to be done, even if in the end the product didn't go far. Somethings are out of our control.
But after seeing this years Forevermissed email I found myself remembering the real early days when I first met Dave. This was at the old Moog Music company on Walden avenue. My recollection of the year could have been late 70's or in the 80's, and was before Dave became our manager on the second floor of the old American Optical building on Eggert road. At that time we worked on manufacturing issues, and before he headed up a product development department much later on.
So at the time I worked with Dave at Moog Music, who at the time was as a electronics contractor for AO, we had just developed a new microscope that had a new variable illumination control power supply for a halogen lamp. Insistently this power supply was deigned my Dave Taylor's father, who I worked for at the time.
As noted this power was for a major new microscopes for AO named 420 & 410. One issue we had is we needed a place close by who could manufacture the power supply due to, if I remember correctly, the closing of our electrical assembly plant in Keen New Hampshire. Anyway Dave won one of the two contracts to build and test the power supplies.
And this is where I met Dave. I was assigned to kind of oversee things to make sure nothing was missed and support whatever Moog needed. Now I don't remember how long these power supplies were built, along with a the lower power 410 version, but I'm sure it was years until the microscope was overcome by lower cost competitive products, and no fault of anyone else.
As I write this it also brings back another product electronics contractor job that Dave, others, and myself were involved with. This might have been covered by others in prior years Forevermissed messages but the product was named DocuStar, not sure on the spelling, but again Dave and Moog won the contract the build and test the electronics. Unfortunately this was a short lived product due to a number of issues none of which were related to the electronics manufacturing.
Now that my memory has been stirred by these memories I could go on and on with products and technical issues Dave would help others and myself with. Dave was a great idea man who was always looking into the future, which was a double edge sword. His time was limited at times as he had to take over more of the companies needs.
Well this is enough for now, and might be to much, but I wanted to try and share the feelings I had with my early years interactions.
Miss Dave always,
Don Miller
Love, Lisanne
I am so sorry to hear about Dave’s passing, and reading these tributes warmed my heart with memories of Dave & the wonderful Luce family. You always opened your doors and arms to me growing up, and I am so grateful. Dave took me (all of us) on the first backpacking trip that I ever went on (in VT – remember?), which I’ll never forget. The pictures were wonderful – thank you for sharing! I only shared in the warmth of your family & Dave’s love for you all for a short time, but it was truly a gift.
Sharon and I especially enjoyed speaking with Dave about the scientific principles he applied when developing the Moog synthesizer and more recently his development of the Ocular Response Analyzer. We miss hearing about his new ideas and observing him develop his strategy for a difficult Bridge Contract. Dave was a very special friend and these fond memories will always be with us. Sharon and I hope to continue spending time with Mary Jane and hearing about Ben, Tina, Andrea, and their spouses and children.
I have listened to your memorial almost daily. The music is wonderful and the memories and pictures perfect. These few minutes each time I listen and watch, give great comfort to Mike and I in having known all of you. Much Love from us.
Mrs. Luce and family. I know we are only your tenants, but Taylor and the kids and myself thought of you all as family. Our hearts are completely broken as we lost the sweetest man we have ever known. Please just always remember that " Heaven was needing a hero" and today God chose him. He is a lucky man. If you get a chance please listen to "Heaven was needing a hero" it is by Reba Mcentire. We are going to miss Dave dearly and you all when we move out of here. We thought this was our forever home. If you need anything please let us know. Just think. He isn't suffering any more. He is an angel of God. ~Fly High Dave~
~
Lori Arne and Aiden Arne Taylor Walter and Austin Arne Walter
The good times, shared wine, major decisions, BU,Harvard,MIT,anacoic chambers, Clarence Center, Vermont, Chicago,Evanston, first kids at the same time; a lifetime of events spread out over the years, In touch , not in touch but always with you. Dave will be missed but always rememberd. Love, Phyllis& Chet
Shared w one, great talks, BU, Harvard, MIT
My mother, Cindy and I are all deeply saddened by Dave's death.
My mother and father considered you and Dave very close friends and enjoyed everything from tennis dates in Natick to ski vacations in Vermont to theatric to Europe you all took together, My father enjoyed Dave's company very much, in particular his enormous range of interests his sense of humor, and his great good spirits.
Cindy and I remember, too, the times we spent with you and Dave at the cabin. (My parents met Cindy, my future wife, for the first time when she and I came up from NY to the cabin, where you and my parents were spending the weekend together, and we all helped shingle the roof.
And then, still a long time ago- perhaps 1970?- Dave told me where the key was hidden and invited us to stay at the cabin any time. I remember going there one winter weekend without telling you and remember the graciousness you both showed when you yourselves came the next day and discovered us there. That was before there was heat or indoor plumbing, and the four of us had a lovely time. There are many other memories, of evenings drinking and talking, always lively, always interesting, always full of good spirits.
We'll miss Dave. These memories will keep him in our hearts.
Jack LeVert
I admired Dave for what he knew, I loved him for his intellectual honesty. We have lost a friend, a talent, a truly good man, but we will never forget him. Go in peace Dave.
My family and I send our deepest condolences and are saddened to hear of your loss.
I am thankful that I had the opportunity to work with Dave and Mary Jane to build the addition to the cabin on top of Roxbury Mountain in VT. Dave always had a keen interest in all facets of the building process. I did not know Dave when we started the construction project, but as time went on and I got to know him, I realized what an interesting and very bright man he was. I enjoyed all our construction strategy sessions and our many in-depth conversations on all kinds of subjects. I will always value the time I spent with Dave.
Sending lots of love to you all,
Chris Burfoot, Warren, VT
Thank you, Ben, for sharing thoughts, info about your dad. I keep thinking of Dave, a hero in EAMusic, other sci/tech worlds. This hurts. My intersections with your dear dad were during ’74-'84 (before his breakthroughs in corneal physics/treatment). He was brilliant, open, amusing, f2f or phone, generous with expertise and time. We enjoyed spirited, often deep discussions, some speculating about the future. Certainly will never forget him, and send my empathy to you all.
—Wendy Carlos
Your father was what we’d affectionately call in the UK an archetypal ‘boffin’ – someone who spent days and nights inventing things. He was a true scientist who contributed to the well-being of society both through his innovations in eye diagnostic technology and also through his contributions to the world of music. A true Renaissance man! I will remember him as a man with a kindly disposition and a great sense of humour.
I regret that I’ll be unable to join your celebration of his life, being on the other side of the pond, but will think of him and will raise a glass in gratitude for his contributions.
David (Ted) Garway-Heath, Moorfields Eye Hospital
I would like to offer my deepest condolences for the passing of David.
I first met David around 2003 when I was doing a post-doctorate at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, undertaking some experiments and validation of his device, the Ocular Response Analyser.
I know how talented and intelligent David was, and he was such a genuinely lovely man - a true gentleman, very kind, very gentle. And so humble, despite all his achievements. I enjoyed speaking with him - he was so approachable, so encouraging and open. He is a loss to the ophthalmology community as well as his family and friends.
I wish you all the strength and support to see this time through. Know that there are many across the globe who are sending their love and good wishes to you all at this difficult time.
With love
I have had the honor of working with your father for the last 14 years of my life. We shared and enjoyed endless conversations about corneal biomechanics and other physics topics. Dave was a brilliant person and he had a generosity that is not easy to find out there. Moreover, his contribution to the ophthalmology field has been enormous.
Dave used to talk about you and your sisters with a contagious pride. His passing through life has not been in vain.
Reichert will not be the same without him. The times to come are hard. Not having his valuable opinion will be a disadvantage that will not be easy to overcome.
I'm going to miss him deeply. But I keep in my mind the moments we shared together, and I keep the pride of having met him.
My condolences to Maryjane, Tina, Andrea, and you (his nonlinear boy). And my best wishes for the future of Luce family.
We shall all miss him.
/ David Guyton, MD / The Wilmer Eye Institute / Johns Hopkins Univ.
Leave a Tribute
It is nice to think of you and Dave today even though it is a sad day. He was a good man and a good influence. His constant excitement about his projects and about his family was a nice motivator for all of us. I miss him but am glad to have known him. I think of him and of all of you often.
With love, Lisanne Norman
Please be patient.
On Love
I will always think of my father as the most softhearted of our family. It was not always to his advantage, and sometimes got him into trouble, but it was at the core of what made him such a special person.
Oddly two of my clearest memories of my father bookend my brief marriage many years ago.
I will always clearly see him tearing up as he took my hand to walk me down the aisle at my wedding and telling me how proud he was to be my father- not just that day, but every day.
A few years later, I will also always remember him asking me only one question when I told my parents I needed to get a divorce : "Do you love him?" When I said no, rather than trying to talk me in our out of anything or addressing the dreary practicalities he simply said, "Well that's the right thing then, love's what matters" (It was). It took a huge burden off me, and I was grateful then as now that he had such a heart, and loved us so.
There's a bear! Where?
We took the family on an short overnight campout on the long trail when our children were pre-teens. Ben had a solo tent, the girls were together in a second tent, and Dave and I shared a third one. Dave slept in his sleeping bag wearing tee shirt and undershorts. Unfortunately, other campers before us had left empty tuna cans in the camp fireplace. During the night we were awakened by lots of rattling and banging of the cans against the stones of the firepit. Andrea cried out, "There's a bear." Dave got up, put on his hiking boots, grabbed a walking stick he had used during the previous day, and went out of the tent to see what was going on. The bear turned into a porcupine, also unwanted in our tent site, so Dave, in his tee shirt and undershorts, proceeded to chase the porcupine several hundred feet through the woods, striking at it with his stick until the walking stick broke, leaving only about six inches of it in his hand. He then returned to the tent, successfully having driven away the porcy.
How I was born because of Dave (and Maryjane)
I probably wouldn't be here without Dave, and his lovely wife, Maryjane. You see, it was Dave and Maryjane who set up my mother and father on a blind date. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Back in the 1950s, my father, Etienne Aberth, met Dave at MIT in Boston, where they played rugby, and studied engineering on the side. Meanwhile, my mother, Sally Stephens, met Maryjane at Boston University. For some reason, Dave and Maryjane (who already were dating) thought Etienne and Sally would make a good couple, and they set them up on a blind date. At first, Cupid was not cooperative, because Etienne and Sally did not hit it off! But soon, the wisdom of Dave and Maryjane's matchmaking bore its fruit, and a wedding took place on June 27, 1959, in Rochester, N.Y.
Attached is a photo of Dave and Maryjane toasting the happy couple, from my parents' wedding album. Dave stood out from the crowd by wearing a white suit, the only man at the wedding to do so, as far as I can tell. This says a lot about Dave, because it was a pretty daring thing to do, especially with all that drinking going on! And from the picture, it seems that he managed not to spill anything on that white suit!
I'll always be thankful to Dave and Maryjane, for introducing Sally and Etienne to each other, and thus making it possible for me to be born. From the expression on Dave's face, it's clear that he knew how to have a good time, and he makes you want to step back into the picture frame and see what all the fun was about. When my father passed away, 26 years ago now, Dave was distraught, and now I am too at Dave's passing. He was a great friend to my father, and a good friend to me. He will be missed. Travel well, Dave.
John Aberth
Roxbury, VT