David was born on 16 November 1956 in Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, to David and the late Willamina Davidson and was brought up along with his younger brother William in Peterhead. A bit of a wild child, Williamina often had to tie him to the clothes line so he wouldn’t run off and sometimes she turned his cot upside down and made a wee cage so he couldn’t escape. He liked going down to the Red Rock to collect a “biling o’ whelks”. 
Williamina often used to take him to Cairnbulg to see her family where he would get up to all sorts of mischief around the village and on the beach, usually stripping his clothes off and running around naked.
When he was only 5 and on a holiday to Butlins in Ayr, he disappeared one day. They found him eventually - he had climbed over the locked gates of the amusement park so he could play on the rides.  
While growing up in Peterhead, he was very close to his Granda Dites. He and his Grannie Minty doted on David and his great love of the sea and nature probably came from the many walks he and his Granda shared together. He also spent a lot of time playing with his cousins Allison, Janice and Eric.
David attended Central Primary School and then Peterhead Academy. He was clever but didn’t really apply himself in school. He didn’t even bother to go back to collect his school leaving certificate. He was a good looking boy and very popular with the girls. 
David loved music, especially rock music from the 1970’s - Led Zeppelin, Queen, David Bowie and many more. He sang with a local band and also played guitar. He was a keen golfer and at one time had a handicap of 9.
He had wanted to study art at Grays School of Art, but in those days it was tradition to get a trade, so he left school at 15 and served his time at Cleveland Twist Drill and became a time served Mechanical engineer
David was well known for his mimicry and much to the annoyance of his bosses, he had the sound of the finishing time hooter off pat. Many of his work mates would be caught out heading out of work too early with the supervisors frantically shooing the men back.  He also spent some time away at sea on a trawler with his Uncle Andy and cousin Alex. He left Peterhead to work in Aberdeen, first for Wiggins Teape Paper Mill at Stoneywood followed by Aberdeen Jig and Tool.  
David was a great dancer and loved Northern Soul music, especially Wigan’s Chosen Few even travelling to Blackpool to dance to Northern Soul.
David and Eileen met in the Fusion Bar at the Palace, Aberdeen in April 1979. Eileen was out with her pal Morag, and David said to Morag that he thought Eileen was a good dancer. Their regular haunts were the the Lodge in the George Hotel and the Star and Garter. In September that year David moved into the flat with Eileen. David would sit on their bed playing the guitar and singing to her. They got engaged a few months later, on Boxing Day in the Broch.
They married on David’s Dads birthday, the 11 October 1980 at St Andrews Church in Peterhead, followed by a reception at the Palace Hotel, Peterhead, settling into married life in Crown street in Aberdeen. 
Jennifer was born exactly a year later, on 11 October 1981. Jennifer always said that it meant that her Dad certainly couldn’t forget their anniversary, or her birthday - in fact, she always said that she was the best present they ever had! When David came home from offshore he and Jennifer would go off on many ‘adventures’, visiting castles, parks and many nature spots around the North East. He adored Jennifer and was so proud of her. They shared the same sense of humour and laid back attitude.
David, Eileen and Jennifer lived Portlethen for the next 16 years before moving back to town for several years, finally settling in Danestone 11 years ago. 
David built a significant reputation in the Oil Industry and was head hunted many times during the next 40 years. From working as a Motorman for Odjfell, in the early 80’s to becoming a Rig Mechanic, Sub Sea Engineer and eventually Senior Sub Sea Supervisor with various companies such as DYVI, Stena, Transocean, Dolphin, Essar and Noble to name just a few. 
David worked all over the world, as well as the North sea and Norway. He spent years travelling to Houston, India and Brazil. He loved the sun and much preferred working in hot countries. Australia, Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, Nigeria, Singapore, Malta, Romania, Netherlands, Canaries, Sarawak, Nigeria and Namibia are just a few of the many countries he visited. Working in India killed his taste buds - he loved spicy food, pepper on everything and often the hottest of Hot Sauce.
Following a near fatal accident in Brazil in 1997 he stopped working offshore for several years, but eventually returned. The accident left him with chronic back pain and he visited an osteopath regularly for the rest of his life.
A few years ago, David changed career and became a self employed Well Control BOP Surveyor, working for Lloyds Register. He carried out audits, both offshore and in shipyards. He could work hours to suit himself and semi retired, spending his time at home with Eileen and at their holiday home in Lossiemouth. David always said that he worked to live.
David and Eileen became “Ma” and “Da” to Jennifer’s childhood friend Wallis. She is part of the family and David used to call her “the lodger” in jest.  She and Jennifer would get ready to go into town at the weekend and ask Da for a “penny for town” and a “wee drappie” meaning a wee drink before they headed out. David would always joke that Wallis should wear a cardigan to cover herself up. He’d then drive them in to town usually complaining about their choice of music.
David got on well with Jennifer’s husband Brian and always said that Brian was the son that he never had - they loved winding each other up. Brian was surprised and amused to find out that David’s way of building anything was to first throw away the instructions and pick up a hammer. If that didn’t work, use a bigger hammer!
David doted on his grandsons, Cameron and Findlay. He would spend hours playing lego and sword fighting with them and they both loved going out for walks with Granda and the dogs. 
David’s favourite holiday destination was Italy…..  but his real love was Scotland. David and Eileen toured all over the country, sometimes in a motorhome, enjoying his love of nature and of course, photography. He especially loved the Cairngorms, Skye and Arran. He was proud to be Scottish and was an ardent Nationalist.
A talented nature photographer in his spare time, David had his photographs used for both a book cover and an oil company banner. He also exhibited as part of ‘Surfing the Don’ at a local gallery. Last year his photograph of Storm Frank was selected as one of the top ten in the region as part of the ‘Capture the North East’ competition run by the local press. The photograph will be used for Visit Aberdeenshire campaigns and was added to Abzolutely Aberdeen’s toolkit to be used in regional promotional material.
As an avid nature lover, he was rarely indoors and seldom sat still. If he wasn’t walking the dogs, Baxter and Rosie, he’d be out and about with his cameras, often going away with Eileen and the dogs for the day to visit local beauty spots and often more remote areas in search of wildlife or interesting scenery. A favourite trip was to Stonehaven beach with Eileen for a fish supper from the Bay Chipper followed by an Aunty Betty’s ice cream.
In April this year, David was rushed to hospital with a suspected stroke, but sadly  was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. He was treated in hospital and had several admissions for complications as well as attending daily radiotherapy.
Despite his illness, David still retained great strength of character and met the many challenges this terrible disease presented head on, with both courage and determination. He knew from the outset that this was a fight he could not win. He lost his speech in May and his mobility declined shortly thereafter. 
In August he spent five weeks in Roxburghe House, but he really wanted to be at home and made it clear he didn’t want ever to return to hospital. During the last few weeks he rallied a bit and managed a few trips out with Jennifer. His last outing was to Aberdeen beach and harbour with Eileen and Jennifer to eat an ice cream.
David was a thoughtful, kind and caring individual, well liked by friends and neighbours and highly respected by work colleagues. He was unassuming and was not a complainer - in fact he could be described as stoic and was unlikely to make a fuss, even when he was uncomfortable or in pain. David had a great outlook on life and made the most of what he had. He’ll be remembered for his sense of humour, loyalty, kindness and unwavering love for his family.