David Cameron MacLean Sr.

David Cameron MacLean Sr. was born on December 8, 1933, in New Rochelle, New York, to William and Georgeanna Stuart MacLean. He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings Shirley, Barbara, John, Jeannie, and William MacLean; and by his beloved daughter, Heather (MacLean) Walters. The family takes comfort in knowing they are reunited now.

Early Life

Dave's early years were shaped by hard work, quiet character, and a sense of adventure that would define him. As a boy in Pennsylvania, he learned to milk cows and drive a truck at age eleven while working on a local dairy farm. During World War II, while his father served the War Department, commissioning iconic wartime posters and designing the famous "Ruptured Duck" discharge emblem, young Dave delivered newspapers. Among his route customers was a pleasant woman named Mrs. MacArthur, whose husband was busy managing the war in the Pacific on the other side of the world.

In high school in Stamford, Connecticut, he worked at a gas station, earning money to buy his beloved Model A Ford, complete with rumble seat. He was a capable athlete; his small stature steered him toward boxing and cross-country track. He briefly held a course record at Stamford High until he discovered, after the race, that he had done so well because he had neglected to run around the lake a second time, as every other runner had.

Military Service

After graduating from Stamford High School, Dave enrolled at the University of Connecticut, but spent more time fighting forest fires than in the classroom, bringing his first attempt at academia to an early end. With the Korean War underway, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After enduring boot camp on Parris Island, he was stationed at Camp Lejeune and recruited into the Reconnaissance/UDT program (later Force Recon). He spent several years in the Caribbean jumping from helicopters, emerging from submarines, conducting night reconnaissance dives, calling in artillery practice rounds on Vieques, and participating in operations that never made the newspapers.

During this posting, he had the opportunity to appear as an extra in The Proud and the Profane, then being filmed in the Virgin Islands. Memorable moments on set included meeting a then-unknown actress named Marion Ross, later beloved as Mrs. C on Happy Days and as the voice of SpongeBob's grandmother, and the celebrated rescue of legendary costume designer Edith Head from a locked outhouse, to the cheers of the entire crew.

Education and Career

Returning from the Marines, Dave re-enrolled at the University of Connecticut, this time with rather more focus, graduating with distinction. He went on to earn his Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from Michigan State University.

He then joined the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, where he spent his entire career, first in Yonkers, New York, and later in Ithaca, New York, after the Institute relocated to Cornell University. He published prolifically on the effects of air pollution on plants and was regarded as one of the world's foremost experts on the impact of ozone and sulfur dioxide on plant development.

Alongside his later years at Boyce Thompson and continuing into retirement, Dave also ran Environmental Strategies, an environmental consulting company based in Ithaca, where he put his expertise to work for clients navigating the challenges of environmental science and policy.

Family and Community

It was at Stamford High School that Dave first laid eyes on Cynthia and, in his own words, it was love at first sight. When he returned from the Marines, they married and built a life together that spanned more than 70 years. She went by Cindy, and together they raised their family in Pleasantville, New York, before moving to Ithaca and finally to Pittsford, New York.

As his children grew, Dave was a constant presence in the community. He served on the PTA, coached Little League baseball, and served as Scoutmaster for Troop 1 in Pleasantville, giving up countless weekends and two weeks each summer at camp. He was active in his local church throughout his life, holding leadership roles and, for many years, running a prison Bible study in upstate New York.

He and Cindy made a point of instilling the values of giving and service in their children, quietly and without fanfare, delivering food and clothing to those in need and participating in charitable efforts. Their daughter Heather carried that spirit with particular grace into adulthood: every Thanksgiving and Christmas, she would slip away from family gatherings without a word, only for the family to discover later that she had been serving at a local food kitchen.

Dave was a devoted grandfather to Ian MacLean, Melissa Argenna (husband Spencer), Melody Walters, and Rebecca Walters (wife Monica), and had the deep joy of watching each of them grow into wonderful adults.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Cynthia “Cindy” MacLean; his son Paul MacLean; his son David MacLean and daughter-in-law Jennifer MacLean; his son-in-law Robert Walters; and his four grandchildren.

At his request, there will be no funeral service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to your local food bank.