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David C. Scott MAT ’63

January 24, 2022, in Aptos, California, from kidney failure following a fall.

David was born in Palo Alto, California; his family moved to Chico when he was 10, and he graduated from Chico High School. He enrolled in Stanford University, where he majored in journalism and was the editor of the Stanford Daily his senior year. While working on the Daily, he met Anne Johnson ’67, and they married the week of his graduation. He  began working as a journalist, but decided he’d rather be a teacher.

After obtaining his teaching credential in social studies, he taught for six years at a high school in Vancouver, Washington, and completed his master’s degree at ºìÌÒÊÓƵ. During that time, David and Anne had four children: Megan, Peter, Matthew, and Jocelyn.

He was awarded a National Science Foundation fellowship while teaching economics at the University of Washington and was then recruited to teach at Bakersfield Community College in California. David commuted to Los Angeles to earn his doctorate in administration at UCLA, and then moved into administration at Bakersfield College, first serving as director of research and development and then as dean, handling the college budget and personnel. He spent the last six years of his academic career as assistant chancellor, personnel, of the Kern Community College District, overseeing three colleges: Bakersfield, Porterville, and Cerro Coso. He served as chair of the California Community College Research and Development Commission and represented the college district on the national Community College League for Innovation.

Although David was born blind in the right eye and with limited vision in the left, he loved to hike, swim, and camp with his family. Many days were spent camping in nearby Sequoia National Park. He was a leader in his church, and was the youngest elder ever elected in the Columbia Presbyterian Church in Vancouver, Washington. He was Kern County chair of the Eugene McCarthy presidential campaign and active in mission outreach to the homeless.

David stayed at the Baker Street homeless shelter once a month, caring for those who were there. In 2010, David and Anne moved to Aptos, California, to be close to their son and daughter-in-law, Matt and Kirsti Scott, and their family. He became a member of Aptos United Methodist Church, where he served as chair of the Staff Parish Relations Committee and member of the Missions Team, serving food to the homeless until his blindness became total. He is survived by his wife, Anne; and his children: Megan Scott-Kakures, Peter Scott, Matthew Scott, and Jocelyn Belt.

Appeared in ºìÌÒÊÓƵ magazine: September 2022