David C. Thompson ’57

David C. Thompson ’57 died peacefully on January 11 at his home in Edgartown, Massachusetts, after a period of declining health. David graduated from Deerfield Academy. At Dartmouth David majored in sociology, played soccer, and was a member of Psi Upsilon and Dragon. After serving as an executive of Stanley Works in New Britain, Connecticut, in the 1960s, David moved to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, in 1973. There, he founded Vineyard Yachts, a boatbuilding company that produced elegant and seaworthy runabouts. In the 1980s he established LandVest Real Estate and for more than 30 years was a leading real estate professional on the island. Throughout his boatbuilding and real estate careers, he was capably assisted by Joan, his wife of 40 years, who organized their offices and kept him on track. David was an avid outdoors enthusiast who embraced New England’s four seasons. He was an expert golfer, skier, waterfowl hunter, boater, and fisherman. He was president of the Edgartown Golf Club from 1986 to 1992. He was a dedicated conservationist and longtime supporter of the Trustees of Reservations, Ducks Unlimited, and the Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation. He was also a member of the Edgartown Yacht Club and the Edgartown Reading Room. As a life trustee of the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust, he helped initiate the acquisitions of 15 of the island’s endangered landmarks. He was predeceased by Joan and his brother, Peter. He is survived by his nephews and their families.