I had known David for about 40 years. He was a young diplomat when we met. I was running Status of Women Canada. We had a strong stream of international work. Over the decades I have admired David’s competence and intellectual dexterity. His kindness to young colleagues and bright young professionals was legendary, including to my daughter who was doing graduate work at SOAS when David was at Oxford. He included her in circles of foreign policy friends and colleagues who were fascinating and who she was unlikely to have met without David’s introduction. She became a UN diplomat. David was an inspiration.
And of course, David followed me at IDRC. Many Sunday mornings he popped by my house for coffee and chat as he settled into IDRC.
I am greatly saddened by his death, but it was not a surprise. Indeed, it was a little later than expected. Last October I visited David in Victoria. He was late for lunch and arrived a touch frazzled. Almost before catching his breath, he announced “I have booked MAID for November 7.” He had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and having seen friends and family go down that excruciating road he was not going to follow. What courage. That was all I could think of to say “You are very brave.” Yes, David was brave. He was also insightful, determined and generous. Many of you knew him as President of IDRC. To me he was a great friend and I shall miss him.
Maureen O’Neil
IDRC President, 1997-2008
Bulletin 79
January 2026