By Dr. Paul Stanford
David joined our department shortly before I did, so we have known each other for a considerable period. He sported a magnificent handlebar mustache at the time, one which settled down over the years.
He was cheerful and supportive, worked patiently with his students, and was always professional in his duties and conversations.
After our move to Founders Annex, we had offices with facing doors, and we had many stimulating conversations in one or the other’s office. He loved the real slate blackboards we used to have and saved one for his office.
He was a kind and interesting man. I will miss his conversations and stability, even through our times of turmoil. He was always on the lookout for better ways to explain concepts and methods in calculus, developing stacks of examples and graphs, and other visual aids.
When he taught the chain rule, he would introduce the topic with music: “Working on a Chain Gang.” Of late, David and I have time-shared an office in Founders, and I have enjoyed our renewed close contact.
Our last email conversation was about Hagoromo chalk, and how much he preferred teaching in person to teaching remotely online. It was a shock to his friends and colleagues to hear that he had died.
“He was a good teacher and a good man, and I will miss him,” said Paul Stanford, professor of instruction in mathematical sciences.
UT Dallas initially hired Dr. David Lewis on Jan 16, 1990, according to Human Resources records. He taught off and on, part-time and full-time, in the Department of Mathematical Sciences until Sept. 2, 2020.
Stories for the newsletter, Math Matters, are produced by faculty and staff of the Department of Mathematical Sciences.
Help us leave the planet a better place for future generations. Your support for the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics funds scientific discoveries with real-world applications, student and faculty recruitment, and academic scholarships.