Episode 72 David M. Sinclair, marine surveyor

My guest today is David M. Sinclair. David was a Marine Surveyor for 60 years, an avid sailor, and still, at the ripe old age of 91, is a nature enthusiast! David is my oldest guest and my beloved uncle, the eldest member of my extended family! I admired the playful, prankster loving relationship he and my mother closely shared. Raised as a Quaker in Germantown, PA, Dave remembers a teacher at Germantown Friends School igniting his love of bird watching. From that he has cultivated a life-long love for nature and within the past year the Darien Nature Center in Connecticut created a volunteer award in Dave’s name.

Dave describes what the work of a marine surveyor entails, stories that highlight his detective skills, along with the changes he endured to keep his business running into he was in his early 80s. His sailing stories include racing the Ticonderoga in the 1940s, the various boats he and his wife Susan sailed, her Adam’s Cup award in 1962, his role as judge for YRA that earned his Ned Anderson Achievement Award.

The tragic loss of his eldest son, Timmy was heart-wrenching and yet somehow in the midst of his shock and grief, Uncle Dave found the strength to offer forgiveness to the driver who killed his son. Despite the obvious strain such a loss plays on a marriage, Dave and Susan weathered their tough times, focused on their love and pride of their 2 other children, 4 grandchildren and have been married for 63 years. Enjoy the podcast!

Links:
Darien Nature Center

News 12 CT - Hometown Hero (video)