Richard J. Davey ’65

Richard J. Davey ’65 died on June 13 in Zurich, Switzerland, from complications of progressive neurological diseases. He came to Dartmouth from Niagara Falls, New York. He was president of Delta Upsilon and a member of Sphinx and the rowing club. He received his M.D. from the University of Rochester in 1969. Much of his career was spent with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he studied the lifespan and trafficking of blood cells in health and disease and became a world expert in transfusion medicine. In the midst of the HIV/AIDS epidemic he was detailed to the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, working to improve transfusion practices in developing countries. NIH created an annual Richard J. Davey lectureship and award in his honor. Rick left NIH to assume the post of chief medical officer of the American Red Cross, followed by appointment as vice president and chief medical officer of the New York Blood Center, with responsibility for the medical oversight of the blood supply of the greater New York City area. He completed his career at the Food and Drug Administration, with responsibility for the safety, purity, and potency of the nation’s blood supply. Rick was an avid runner, completing 15 marathons, some at a sub-three-hour pace. He climbed with and provided medical support for mountaineering expeditions throughout the world. He was also a long-distance motorcyclist who loved books, classical music, and singing in the Encore Chorale. Rick is survived by wife Leigh.