David Allen Douglass

David's Celebration of Life will be on September 27th and 28th. A more formal Remembrance will be held on Saturday, September 27th at Unity Hall in Foothills Unitarian Church (1815 Yorktown Avenue, Fort Collins, CO) from 2 pm to 5 pm, including a reception. We will have an open house at our home (1628 Buckeye Street, Fort Collins, CO) on Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm (excepting the time for the Remembrance) and on Sunday from from 10 am to 5 pm. People should know that we have two medium large dogs and two cats at our house, in case anyone is allergic or has a problem with dogs or cats. If anyone would like to speak briefly at the Remembrance, please let Diana Douglass know (text to 303-475-5951).

DAVID ALLEN DOUGLASS / 1953- 2025 / OBITUARY

"My subject is the nature of things, that is, life." Pliny
"Tell me of the waters of your homeland, Mua' dib." Chani ( From Dune, by Frank Herbert.)
"Not even a god can escape his ordained fate" The Oracle of Delphi

David Allen Douglass, 72, of Fort Collins, Colorado, died peacefully on August 29, 2025.
David was born in Baltimore, Maryland in January of 1953 and was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Elsie Douglass. He is survived by his wife, Diana Rumph Douglass, his sons and their wives, who are Mark Douglass and Miranda Excell-Johnson, and James Douglass and Elaine Bell Douglass. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Susan and Lindley Jones, his brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Robbie Douglass, along with their children, Margaret Douglass, Philip Douglass and Philip's wife, Rae, and their daughter, Esther.

David graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering He later attended Colorado State University graduate school in Fort Collins, Colorado, earning a master's degree in civil engineering. It was during his time in Fort Collins that he and Diana met. His working career began in the oil fields in the southwest US and Texas, in jobs related to protection of water resources. Throughout his life he worked in similar capacities both in the US and overseas.

David was a world adventurer at the age of 10, when he spent several months in Brazil. This experience may have contributed to his passion for living and working around the world and meeting new people and challenges. David and Diana resided in Africa and Asia and both Central and South America. Both their sons were born overseas during these travels and were fortunate to share many adventures.

David possessed an insatiable curiosity about people and places and history and science. He loved learning about everything and immersed himself in every place he went. Reading books and writing were some of David's strongest passions. He wrote in-depth missives about his life and travels and musings to his friends and family. Participation in the fall writing challenge NANOWRIMO resulted in the completion of several novels. David was a Buddhist who lived the eightfold path as well as he could. He was also passionate about all kinds of music, including the Grateful Dead, Willie Nelson, Joan Baez, Eva Cassidy, opera, and many, many others.

David made friends everywhere he went and enriched their lives with his kindness and personal interest in their experiences and his smile. He inspired people with his fascination with and wide knowledge of the myriad facets of the world and the universe.

David was very supportive of and involved with his family. He made it possible for Diana to pursue her passions and life goals and often joined her as she traveled the country. He enriched his sons' lives with encouragement and with excursions which allowed them to experience many aspects of life. Climbing fourteeners, volunteering with him in various ways, biking, completing half-marathons, talking and spending time together.

David actively lived his philosophy of life and compassion for others in many ways. He did volunteer work with the homeless, with people on hospice, at food banks, and others. The many trips he made to the Hopi and Navajo lands mentoring ninth graders, an opportunity sponsored by Unitarian Churches in Colorado, held a special place in his heart.

He will be missed but not forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any of the following, if so desired:
Zen Center of Denver zencenterofdenver.org -go to support, click donate
National Audubon Society audubon.org -click on donate
The Planetary Society planetary.org -click on donate