Saratoga Springs, NY –Dr. David E. Long died unexpectedly February 7, 2012.
Born March 6, 1931, in Crawfordsville, IN, he was the son of the late Harold and Gladys Long. He attended school from kindergarten through high school graduation in Crawfordsville. He received a bachelor’s degree from Wabash College in 1953, where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity.
After college he served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Seoul, South Korea, for 13 months. Following his discharge from the Army, he entered Indiana University, where he received a master’s degree in student personnel administration. He joined the administrative staff at Miami University in Oxford, OH, as assistant to the dean of men and instructor in English. After two years, he returned to Indiana University where he received his doctorate in higher education administration.
In 1961 David became the first dean of students when men arrived to join the formerly all women’s student body at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, IL. He was responsible for the transition to a co-educational college, at the same time greatly broadening racial and foreign student diversity. After four years he assumed the position of director of development and assistant to the president.
Skidmore College president, Dr. Joseph C. Palamountain tapped David to become vice president for development in 1968. At the time of his retirement, after 20 years at Skidmore, the trustees presented him with a framed map of the “new” Skidmore campus, highlighting the buildings for which he had spearheaded funding, and named him “The Architect of College Gifts.”
Upon his retirement, David was asked by the president of Wagner College on Staten Island to serve as vice president for development, a position he held for six years .He also served one year as a consultant in development for the Yaddo Corporation in Saratoga Springs.
David was a member of the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church, where he was one of the originators of the Madrigal Banquet. He was a charter member and served nine years on the Wesley Health Care Center Foundation Board. He was also a member of the Saratoga Springs Hospital Foundation Board and Rotary International. He served as chairperson and as a member for several years of the planning committee for the annual Palamountain Polo Benefit at Skidmore College.
In addition to his parents, David was predeceased by his sister, Rosalee Jacobs and his son-in-law, Brett Griffin.
He is survived by his wife, Joann (Moore) Long; daughters and their families, Susan and Jack Moyer and their children, Margaret and Matthew; and Melissa and Robert Drislane and their children, Connor, Emma and Rachel; his sister-in-law and her husband, Sue Ellen and Philip Walker; and several nieces and nephews.
His greatest joy in life was his family, and he relished family vacations, holidays, and simple pleasures of togetherness. Favorite pictures show him in the middle of his five grandchildren and his special pal, his Scottie, Duncan.
The family wishes to express its deep gratitude for the expertise and personal devoted care of Dr. Brian Izzo and Dr. Harold Card over many years. Special thanks also go to the emergency room physicians, additional medical personnel and the chaplain at Saratoga Hospital who not only attended David with skilled dedication, but also provided compassionate care for the family.
A service to celebrate his life and memory will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, February 11, 2012, at the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church, Henning Rd. at Fifth Ave., with a reception following in the Fellowship Hall. The family has suggested that those who wish to honor his memory may contribute to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 15 Tech Valley Drive, Suite 4, East Greenbush, NY 12061.
Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, (518) 584-5373.
Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.
