A proud Canadian, brilliant research scientist, gifted athlete, and an enthusiastic coach and mentor, David Bryson Waddell died peacefully on June 8, 2008, in his 92nd year, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Survived by his devoted wife and partner, Barbara (nee Gowitzke), six nieces and nephews, Janet White, Judy (White) Killeen, Murray White, Joleen (Aldous) Gordon, Peter Aldous, and Don Aldous, and their families, as well as several second cousins, he will also be sadly missed by his many dear friends. Warm-hearted, and fun-loving, David will be remembered as a true gentle man, and by some as a task master, whose work ethic was to "play by the rules", whether that was the game of badminton or the game of life.

  A graduate of the University of British Columbia, where he earned both B.A. and M.A. degrees, he also studied for the Ph.D. at the University of Toronto. This prepared him for his subsequent employment with Canada's Department of Agriculture, where he spent 30 years as entomologist, researcher, administrator, and technical advisor in the Research Branch.

  David was an ardent badminton player and, in the course of his lifetime, occupied every conceivable organizational position at local, regional, provincial, and national levels, an achievement that often earned him the title "Mr. Badminton". He was co-author of extensive studies on the biomechanics of badminton stroke production and with his wife, known professionally as Dr. Barbara Gowitzke, presented many papers, workshops and clinics to scientists and coaches all over the world. He was particularly proud of his "Badminton Adapted for Children" program.

  When David wasn't occupied with the sport of badminton, he was busy organizing or assisting with other sports such as bowling, broomball, curling, golf, softball, sailing, and tennis. He was a member of and occupied key positions in several non-profit organizations over his lifetime, including horticultural and non-smoking associations. He was a Vice-Commodore at the Britannia Yacht Club in Ottawa, a Life Member of the Ancaster Horticultural Society, and the International Society of Biomechanics in Sports, and was named Honourary Vice-President of the Ontario Badminton Association. He won many awards, including the Bob Maki Memorial Trophy for Ottawa Sportsman of the Year in 1972, the Meritorious Service Award from the International Badminton Federation in 1988, and was named Ancaster's Distinguished Citizen of the Year in 2006. In addition, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Ottawa Recreation Association in 1992, and the Hall of Fame of the Ontario Badminton Association in 2000.

  We wish to thank his surgeon, Dr. Leya Ruo, and the medical team at McMaster Hospital, the medical oncology team at the Juravinski Cancer Centre, the Cancer Assistance Programme, the Canadian Cancer Society, CCAC and the nursing staff at St. Joseph's Home Care, especially Joanne, Judy at Para-Med, the staff and volunteers at the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice, and in particular, his family physician, Dr. Kim McCallum.

  Friends may call at the Dodsworth and Brown Funeral Home on Wilson Street in Ancaster, on Thursday, June 12th from 2:00 - 4:00 and from 7:00 - 9:00 P.M. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of David's life will be announced later this summer. In David's memory, in lieu of flowers, donations to St. Joseph's Home Care or the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice would be appreciated by the family. Condolences may be given at www.db-ancaster.ca

Dear all:

   Further to my e-mail of last night, I am writing to inform you of the visitation date. It will not be Wednesday, but Thursday, June 12, 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. at the Dodsworth and Brown funeral home on Wilson Street here in Ancaster. For those of you coming from out of town, the funeral home is located on the main street of Ancaster, 378 Wilson Street East, which is not far from Sulphur Springs Road, and right next door to Tim Horton's. The obituary notice with photo will be in the Hamilton Spectator both Tuesday and Wednesday, and in the Ottawa Citizen on Tuesday (I think). I have attached an e-mail version of the notice with this e-mail in two formats. This morning, Brian Fayle and I had a lengthy session with the funeral director and also talked with our lawyer. The date for the service celebrating David's life will not be until some date in August -- I will notify you when we have made that decision. Thank-you for all of your e-mails expressing condolences -- they mean so much to me.

   Love,

Barbara