In loving memory of David Humphries who sadly passed away on 27th June 2026.
David was a loving husband, father, co-worker and also friend to many over his long and happy life.
Having been born in Whitley Bay and after a wartime childhood in variously Yorkshire and Surrey, David and his brother Martin and family settled in Sussex, starting school at Broadwater Manor as a cricket loving boy and then later continuing his studies at Brighton College. David was devoted to science and won a physics scholarship to Corpus Christi College, Oxford. Before leaving for Oxford, David joined the Royal Air Force for his National Service and spent two years training to be a navigator, the majority of which was spent in the frozen wastes of Winnipeg, Canada.
David met his wife Wendy when they were both in their teens, and having endured the long separation while he completed his National Service in Canada, and adhering to strict university rules regarding bachelors, they were married on 25th July 1959 and started married life in Headington, with Wendy working at the John Radcliffe while David finished his degree at Oxford University.
Post university, Wendy and David settled in Hampshire and their daughter Sarah arrived in 1965 with their son Charles following in 1969. David was extremely proud of his children’s achievements both during their school days and when they both continued into their respective careers; Sarah to Law and Charles to Music. Despite valiant efforts on his part, David never managed to instil a love of physics in either Sarah or Charles but he was delighted that they both chose careers they loved. David particularly enjoyed supporting Charles in all his musical endeavours with Wendy by his side-wherever they might be and they were always up for a trip to a European concert venue to show support.
David joined the Royal Aircraft Establishment in the early 1960s where he was destined to have a very fulfilling and enjoyable career. He was able to work not only within his chosen scientific field but with the added delight of being at the cutting edge of aircraft development in the 1960s and 1970s. He spent many happy hours in the “Black Sheds” producing technical solutions to aeronautical problems and also flying up and down the UK to demonstrate those solutions (or not) in practice. Much of the 70s were spent on the Tornado project which necessitated monthly sojourns in Munich, staying at the delightful Lettl Hotel. Of course, after a certain point the mandarins in Whitehall called and he was to spend much of his senior career in MOD working with politicians and the other services on the defence of the UK. His final senior role in London was as Chief Scientist of the RAF which was recognition of his outstanding technical and practical abilities. As a final flourish, David spent the last five years of his career as Director of the Australian RAE in Melbourne and at the very end a spell in Canberra. He loved Australia and both he and Wendy had a fantastic tour of duty there, enjoying all that Melbourne and Australia had to offer and making some lasting friends and memories.
In retirement, David and Wendy enjoyed some fantastic holidays and cultivating their longstanding friendships across the world. This included in particular the friendship with Marlies and Peter Kibler. Marlies and Wendy had originally exchanged letters as penpals in 1960 and from that initial exchange developed a friendship over the next 60 plus years which became more like a family link with visits, celebrations of marriages, holidays and tours filling the years, against the steady continued exchange of correspondence, documenting lives well lived and shared loves and interests.
As well as holidays in Germany, Cornwall and Switzerland were also favoured destinations. Cornwall was an Easter Holiday staple when the children were young and always allowed everyone to relax and enjoy some good sea air and beautiful views. Switzerland was the honeymoon destination. Some thirty years’ later visits to Grindelwald were resumed and the annual ten days in Hotel Kirchbuhl celebrating their wedding anniversary were an absolute highlight for both Wendy and David.
David’s hobbies were both scientific and musical. The soldering iron was a constant and there was no DIY project that David was not able to undertake; working from first scientific principles in the days before “ask Google” was a thing! He loved music as an excellent bass, but also as a fine pianist and latterly church organist stand in. He was very good at casual piano playing and the family often joked that he would be a good hotel lobby pianist if he got bored. We all remember the day he announced he had bought a redundant church organ; and the mechanism arrived at the house to be assembled in a spare bedroom…you can imagine the sight! Wendy and David loved to go to concerts and they were very active with the Tilford Bach Society and stalwart supporters of the Yvonne Arnaud theatre in Guildford.
David’s faith was an important part of his life; in particular combined with the spiritual and musical aspects of worship in Guildford Cathedral. Wendy and David were devoted attendees and the glories of the Cathedral on a summer Sunday just before Evensong were a favourite for David.
Although not a gardener on a par with Wendy, he definitely enjoyed the fruits of her lifelong love of gardening and her green fingered skills. He was however an excellent lawnmower and was happy to accept that role-especially when it came to the steeper slopes of the garden in Yorkshire. Both Wendy and David also had a particular soft spot for Border Collies and were always loyal to the breed. Lass, Meg, Whisper, Moss and Smudge were all much loved. David loved walking the dogs and enjoyed a stroll at Ranmore Common with Moss and Smudge, whatever the weather.
Retirement in Dorking was a very active one. There was plenty of time for holidays to visit Marlies and Grindelwald as well as to explore the US when visiting Charles. The local area and its beautiful views and gardens were much loved and visited and, latterly, garden centres were particular places of pilgrimage. David and Wendy remained a devoted couple and in 2019 fondly celebrated 60 years of marriage with family and friends, also receiving a splendid card and greeting from Her Majesty.
Losing Wendy in 2023 was a blow to David after such a long shared life. He did however approach the next phase of life with an open heart and mind. He was very happy to spend time with Sarah and Charles, and his brother Martin was a great support to him during this period, with lunchtime reminiscences over their respective aeronautical careers giving much enjoyment to both.
David also greatly enjoyed the support provided by the delightful carers from Home Instead. They helped him retain his independence and Rebecca in particular provided him with great support and friendship which he valued hugely.
Keeping the balance between independence and support is hard as we age, but David never lost his sense of humour, love of sport and music and was a delightful man. Remembered fondly by everyone, may he rest in peace. Amen.
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