David M. Tafe ’65
David M. Tafe ’65 died in Wayland, Massachusetts, on November 21, 2024, after a brief illness. He came to Dartmouth from Boston Latin School. He was a member of Phi Tau and the Handel Society. A natural educator, David received an M.A. in teaching from Harvard in 1970. In 1973 David moved to New York to accept a position teaching Latin and Greek at Rye Country Day School (RCDS). Fondly referred to as “Dominus” by his students, David inspired many budding classicists with his passion for language, knowledge of antiquity, and signature humor. He especially enjoyed traveling with students, leading them on many foreign tours. He retired in 2013 as head of the classics department and a beloved member of the faculty. David’s love of music and theater was evident throughout his life. He performed in every student-faculty musical at RCDS and became known for his roles in productions such as Bye Bye Birdie, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Pirates of Penzance. Performing Mozart’s Requiem with his daughter, Jennifer, was a special experience. David loved opera, listening to the live broadcasts on Saturday afternoons or attending performances live at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. David leaves his wife, Christine; son D. Michael Jr. and his wife, Kaitlin; Jennifer and her partner, Matthew; and granddaughter Cecilia.
