David Rutherford

David Ames Rutherford, 82, of Brooksville, Florida passed away Saturday, February 12, 2022, days shy of his 83rd birthday.  David was born February 26, 1939, in Washington, DC to Henry Ames and Marjorie Bennett Rutherford.  He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Joan, and most recently by his dear friend Paula (Pat) Margulis.  He is survived by his brother Gordon, wife Annella, nephews Gordon and Stephen, nieces Carolyn and Mary and their families.  Although he had no children he was known as Uncle Dave by countless neighborhood children, children of friends, and now their children also.

David spent most of his life in the Washington, DC area.  He was raised in Kensington, Maryland.  As a child (before his voice changed) he was a member of the Washington National Cathedral Boys Choir. Graduating from Bethesda Chevy Chase High School, he earned a college degree from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.  He then worked for the Voice of America in Washington, DC.  In the mid 1960’s, not wanting to be drafted in the Army during the Viet Nam War, he volunteered for the Navy and attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island where he was commissioned as an Ensign in the US Navy Supply Corps Reserve.  After three years of active duty, David remained in the US Navy Supply Corps Reserve attaining the rank of Captain. His post active military duty career was spent in Washington, DC working for the national office of the Associated General Contractors and the US Labor Department, where he held several management and executive positions.  One of his most cherished assignments was his selection for a Congressional Fellowship which put him on Capitol Hill for a year.  In his late 70’s, David left his snow blower at his long-time home in Woodbridge, Virginia and moved to Brooksville to enjoy the Florida climate.

David was known for his relationships with friends met – as college classmates, neighbors, through his hobbies, and the broad scope of service within his community.  He approached just about everything with the philosophy of “if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well”.  He had a very wide range of interests.  Some of his better-known interests included sailboats and sailing on the Potomac River, supporting the local orchestra, and his always changing collection of classic automobiles.  Everyone who knew David has a story and can recite several of his well-known quotes.  David’s civic activities included serving on the Planning Commission of Prince Willian County, Virginia; Chair of the Prince William County Sewer Authority; Board of Directors for the start of a local Prince William County hospital; and a long-time member of the Board of Trustees of Davis and Elkins College in Elkins, West Virginia.

A celebration of David’s life will be held at a later date.  At his request, his ashes will be interred in the Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery in Hall, West Virginia, the final resting place for many of his maternal ancestors.  The family requests that any remembrance of David be sent to Davis and Elkins College for the scholarships in honor of David’s parents:  attn Mr.  Scott Goddard, 100 Campus Drive, Elkins, WV 26241.

ARRANGEMENTS BY

MERRITT FUNERAL HOME

SPRING HILL, FLORIDA

(352) 686-6649

"Family Owned and Operated"

www.merrittfuneral.com