Tribute Wall
Sunday
23
April
Funeral Service
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Sunday, April 23, 2023
Logan Funeral Home
371 Dundas Street
London, Ontario, Canada
519-433-6181
Sunday
23
April
Procession & Burial
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Sunday, April 23, 2023
Or Shalom Cemetery
Oxford St. W. (Proudfoot Lane)
London , Ontario, Canada
519-438-3081
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Chelsey Damphousse posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
David was an exception to the adage “never meet your heroes”. Although I didn’t have the opportunity to get to know David well on a personal basis, from the few encounters I had with him at conferences and during email exchanges, it was clear that he was an exemplary person and scientist. I was saddened to hear of his passing but I can say with certainty that he has taught many of us that the best way to lead and inspire is by treating others with respect, kindness, and the willingness to listen. I’m so sorry for your loss and I hope that you’re able to find peace in knowing the positive impact that David has had on those around him.
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Rob Hampton uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, May 13, 2023
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From his experiments on (the absence of) social learning in "milk tub opening," to the function of the avian hippocampus, to his famous "eye-capping" studies of memory, to documenting the distribution and recovery of cached seeds using radioactivity, David demonstrated a surpassing creativity and insight. He revealed what was hidden and helped correct what was mistaken to an extent that would make any scientist proud. I am so grateful to have had David as a teacher, a mentor, and a friend. As a result of David's influence, looking into a forest or my own backyard is a dramatically more detailed and interesting experience, full of dynamic animals and interesting questions.
To Vicki and the boys - I wish you eventual peace with your changed world and many, many happy memories of your husband and father.
Thank you, David. I continue to respond to the call of the mighty chickadee! -Rob Hampton
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Nicholas Cothros posted a condolence
Monday, April 24, 2023
Dr. Sherry was one of my professors and a great inspiration to all aspiring neuroscientists. He was an excellent role model for both students and professors. He consistently showed a keen interest in the work of his colleagues and graduate students. I remember him as a successful scientist, a superb teacher, and above all a warm and cheerful person.
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Caroline Strang uploaded photo(s)
Monday, April 24, 2023
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I’d have to write another dissertation to cover all the wonderful things I want to say about David and his impact on my life. He always saw things so clearly, whether it was how to answer a scientific question or how to solve whatever personal problem I was rambling about in his office. I cherish all the advice he gave me over the years.
One of David’s defining features was his ability to stay calm in all circumstances, whether we were stranded for hours on a boat in the amazon, wading into water to get a good look at a roseate spoonbill and then spotting an approaching alligator, being questioned by police for acting suspicious while in pursuit of a bird, or just dealing with the never ending crises that occurred while running experiments. One of my most iconic David memories happened when we were on a tiny fishing boat on our way to a field site in Brazil. Everyone was completely focused on clinging to the boat while being pelted with giant waves, desperately trying not to be lost at sea. David’s voice cut through the motor noise to say “scarlet ibis”. Amidst all the chaos he was birding… he was always birding.
Birding was serious business to David. He would often have a target bird and be more committed than he let on to finding it. But it was also amazingly fun to go with him. One trip, after seeing our target bird, we were making fun of our commitment to the goal and decided to take some 'intense birder' photos. Of course, David played along. The give away that things are staged in the photo I’ve included, and all the photos we took, is David laughing.
I am so grateful that after many years as David’s student his voice will forever be in my head, making me think, making me laugh, making me better, and making me miss him.
My deepest condolences to Vicki and the entire Sherry/Esses family.
J
Jeff Martin posted a condolence
Monday, April 24, 2023
David was a wonderful person, whose natural kindness was present in everything he did. As a graduate supervisor, he was patient, brilliant, and supportive. As a personality around the lab he was humble, kind, and hilarious. Some of my fondest memories from graduate school are from the lunch room at AFAR when David would join us with his (should be) trademarked sandwich, made fresh on the spot. (A group of us joked that he often slept above Angelo's so he could pick up his ingredients fresh each morning). He would assemble his lunch while effortlessly entertaining a crowd.
One particular memory will always stand out to me. David walked into the room as a number of us were discussing music trends, and in particular Method Man. David, without missing a beat, and with his perfect cadence, said, "Ah yes, I believe Method Man was a member of the Wu Tang Clan", and then proceeded to list every member of the group, complete with a fun fact about each of them. David's full breadth of knowledge on display along with his ability to fit seamlessly into any conversation. It's a memory I will always cherish.
I have many fond memories with David, but mostly I will be forever grateful for the time he shared with me, and for the dedication he showed to all his students. He set the bar so incredibly high for not only how to be a scientist, but for how to interact with people, how to treat people, and how to make people feel welcome and empowered.
I will forever miss David, and am sending his family my deepest condolences in this difficult time.
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Chad Seewagen posted a condolence
Monday, April 24, 2023
David made a lasting impact on me as a member of my PhD comprehensive exam committee and opened my eyes to the amazing world of avian neuroscience. He was so approachable and had a comforting way of teaching material that I remember finding intimidating at first. The ornithology course I teach includes a lecture on spatial memory, magnetic orientation, and song leaning that is entirely based on everything David had me learn for the comp exam, and I even take a moment to tell the students about David and his work. So sad he is gone.
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John Krebs uploaded photo(s)
Monday, April 24, 2023
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I was very sorry to hear the sad news about Dave. He came to work with me as a postdoc over 40 years ago. Here is a photo of the young Dave doing field work in Wytham Woods near Oxford. Dave, Sara Shettleworth and I started a long-term collaboration on spatial memory in food storing birds. Dave did a brilliant set of experiments using monocular occlusion to demonstrate the role of memory in retrieval, and later on he and Anthony Vaccarino led the way in discovering the link between hippocampal anatomy and food storing memory. I have many fond memories of working with Dave, and of my visit to Western in 2015.
My condolences to all his family and friends.
John Krebs
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Ken Cheng posted a condolence
Saturday, April 22, 2023
I have fond memories of working together with David at Toronto. David taught me to work with what I then (and still now) called a real bird, the black-capped chickadee. I am so glad that I contributed something to the special issue in honour of David last year. David, you have been an inspiration to the field. Given what I have read about music, I am also glad to have sung an impromptu song at the virtual meeting of the Comparative Cognition Society in David's honour. I and the field will miss you, David.
With tears,
Ken Cheng
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Christine Mack posted a condolence
Saturday, April 22, 2023
I remember the day that my nephew David was born, what a joy for the whole family. David was a dear little boy who would come to visit and enjoy being with his cousins. We watched him grow up and were proud of his many accomplishments. I will cherish the memories and keep Vicky, Isaac, and Alexander in my prayers.
Auntie Chris
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Christopher Course uploaded photo(s)
Friday, April 21, 2023
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A grad student-supervisor relationship is a unique one (a boss/mentor/best-friend/parent if you will) and everything about David's attributes were well-suited to each of these roles.
David was always so present. Come to think of it, I don't think I once saw him distracted -- not even after the stiffest of espressos. Always easy to talk to, always eager to hear everyone's news and stories, and always, always, listened with infinite patience.
David was a brilliant scientist who no doubt inspired and guided so many of us on our scientific journeys, but as I sit in reflection, it's actually the small things that he did that resonate the strongest at this time.
I remember once talking about different jazz genres with him, and when he was telling me about cool jazz, I asked if there was a 'hot jazz' (a concept that seemed hilarious to me for some reason). Sure enough, the next day he left me a CD of 'Louis Armstrong: The Hot Five & Hot Seven Recordings' on my desk. I listened to it all that night -- which was a feat because there were a lot of notes. This theme eventually cumulated to a last minute lab adventure out in the city to see a live jazz act. We invited David and he came out with us (without hesitation). It was an incredible night.
He was always up for an adventure. I remember another time I needed help setting up radiotowers at my field site and David and labmate Caroline came out to give me a hand (pictured). To be frank we didn't really know what we were doing but it was an absolute riot to be in the presence of brilliant scientists trying to figure out what at first seemed like the simpliest of procedures. I'm amazed that the picture was in focus because we were all laughing so much.
David was effortlessly wise, had a great sense of humor and spot-on timing. I will never forget the time he was a few minutes late to teach a grad course that I was taking. When he finally strolled in, he said (at the perfect moment I should add), 'I apologise for being late. I simply did not allocate enough time to get here'. I love that. It was funny then and it still is, but also has that element of wisdom and honesty that was so typically David. It's become almost like a mantra to me now, and I can hear his voice say it whenever I'm late.
David had a much bigger impact on my life than I could have ever imagined. Yes, he was an excellent scientific mentor there is no question, but he was also quite simply a mentor on how to live life.
Thanks for everything David, I'll be playing some Chet Baker in your honour.
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Madeleine Brodbeck uploaded photo(s)
Friday, April 21, 2023
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I am sending all my love to David's family through this difficult time.
David, of course, had a wealth of information to teach his students. But more than any content he taught any of us, his character was what shone the brightest. Patience, eloquence, kindness, compassion, and thoughtful, careful honesty. These are the things I learned the most from him.
I wanted to share a fun memory of our lab completing an escape room together. While stressing to figure out how to solve the puzzles, it seemed as though David had solved most of the room himself. Of course, he would laugh at this and make us feel like we solved it as a team... but we all know who the true mastermind was. I miss you, David.
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Catherine Plowright posted a condolence
Friday, April 21, 2023
I have known David since I was a graduate student over 30 years ago. I am very grateful to him for having been supportive of my work and that of my own students throughout my career. He was an outstanding scientist. He knew an awful lot about music too. I very much admired David’s modest, reserved and unassuming manner. My sympathies to you, Vicky, and to your family. Catherine Plowright.
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David Stephens posted a condolence
Friday, April 21, 2023
I am so sorry to hear of David's passing. We worked together at Oxford many years ago. Although, we had lost touch recently, I always admired and respected him, both as a scientist as a wonderful human being.
--dave stephens
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Chris Guglielmo uploaded photo(s)
Friday, April 21, 2023
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Dear Vicky, Issac and Alex,
The AFAR family here in London and around the world is feeling a great loss. In fact, David even named the AFAR, and I have so many fond memories of working together to propose, design, build, and work in the AFAR. It would not be nearly the place it turned out to be without him.
David was such a wonderful friend and colleague, and he had a lasting impact on so many students, whether they were supervised by him, or just chatting with him in the AFAR lunchroom. It is wonderful that you plan to honour his memory with a scholarship.
It was really a privilege for me personally to work with David. He was incredibly knowledgeable and thoughtful, and one of the most gracious people I've ever met. Always the calm voice of reason. I'm sharing a photo from a memorable get together at my house (my 50th) where we played some music together. I wish we could have done it more.
Chris Guglielmo
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Cindy Miles posted a condolence
Thursday, April 20, 2023
Dear Vicky and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed always enjoyed speaking to you and David when I used to make your UWO travel arrangements. May David’s memory be a blessing.
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The family of David Francis Sherry uploaded a photo
Thursday, April 20, 2023
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