David Gerhardt Davis

David's service can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/814656499

Dr. David Gerhardt Davis passed away Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the age of 87, in his home in Fargo, North Dakota.

Dave was born on July 21, 1935, to Zachary and Evelyn (Overbeck) Davis in Dickinson, ND. He was the youngest of his three siblings. Following his high school graduation from Dickinson Central High School, he continued his education with a BS and MS in Botany from North Dakota State University. During his time at NDSU, he was a charter member, treasurer, and faculty advisor of the NDSU Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon. Dave took a break from his education to serve in the United States Air Force as a Weapons Fusing Systems Specialist from 1956-1959. Following his military service, he attended Washington State University, earning a Ph.D. and his post-doctorate from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Graduation was followed by a 3-month backpacking trip in Europe. He began his employment as a Plant Physiologist in 1967 with the Department of Agriculture.

During his time as a plant physiologist, Dave served as an Adjunct Professor of Botany, including teaching the first ever course on plant tissue culture at NDSU. He was a member of the American Science of Plant Biology, The Weed Science Society of America, member and program organizer of the Leafy Spurge Symposium for the Great North Plains, as well as other national and international societies in botany, weed control, and cell biology. He also had many publications. After 33 years, he retired in 2000.

Dave met the love of his life, Phyllis Miller, after a blind date through a mutual friend. Their first date was a night of dancing at the High 10. After about nine months of dating, they were married on February 18, 1972, at the Miller family farm. They spent the next four years traveling, dancing, and loving life in Fargo, ND. They welcomed their son, Blair, in 1976 and Anthony in 1979. About 2 1/2 months after Anthony was born, Dave's job took him on a sabbatical for a year, where he worked at the Weismann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.

Dave had a love for travel and adventure. He and Phyllis visited five continents and all 50 states. The summers were filled with family road trips in the car, where they visited about every battlefield in the United States. Dave enjoyed dancing (he really could waltz like no other), exploring, gardening, reading (he was never without a book), backpacking, skiing, and spending time with his family. He really enjoyed spending his retirement as a grandpa to Ryan, Jack, Brandon, Rose, and Violet.

Dave's sense of humor and silly faces will be missed by his family: his wife, Phyllis (Fargo); sons, Blair and his wife Wendy (Chicago, IL), Anthony and wife Lisa (Davenport, ND); and his grandchildren, Ryan, Jack, Brandon, Rose, and Violet.

He was reunited in Heaven with his parents, siblings, Raymond Davis, Norman Davis, and Marjorie Hill.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in memory of Dave to Hospice of the Red River Valley or Senior Helpers-Fargo.