David S. Jaeger

David was born August 1, 1960 in Brooklyn, New York. In 1961, his mother, Sylvia Scanga, married Maximillan Jaeger, who legally adopted David in 1964. The family grew with the addition of his sisters, Susan and Stephanie. His early childhood years were spent growing up in Greenpoint, an Italian, Polish, and Puerto Rican family-oriented neighborhood in Brooklyn where there were plenty of mommas shouting from windows attempting to keep the children out of mischief. A self-proclaimed brownstone “roof jumper” and prankster, he probably heard his name a lot. He attended St. Cecelia's Catholic School during that time – go figure that his playful antics throughout those years constantly had him in trouble with the nuns!

The family moved to Elmhurst, Queens, New York in 1973. When he entered Newtown High School, he joined the track and field team, which sparked his enthusiasm for cross country. Showing great dedication to the sport, he would run from Queens to Manhattan to train. Under the guidance of a great coach, he proudly won many of his races. Between that and playing basketball at the local park, his mom was always buying new sneakers for it was difficult to keep him in ones that didn't have a hole in them!

He left high school and earned his GED in August 1977. In October, David enlisted in the US Army and spent three years serving the military in Erlangen, Germany as a tank turret mechanic, achieving the rank of SGT, E5. There he met Stephen Sapp, aka Bubba, who became his lifelong best friend. After being honorably discharged in 1980, David enrolled and attended Spartan School of Aeronautics in Oklahoma to study Nondestructive Testing. In 1982, he graduated and began his long career in the NDT industry.

Before leaving for Oklahoma in 1981, Bubba set him up on a “blind date” with his friend, Cathy Douglas. Although she was skeptical of this date at first, she agreed to go. They met at the renowned “Pete's Bar”, went to a Tea Man soccer game, he left for school, and she figured that was that. After David's graduation and his return to Jacksonville Beach, their paths did cross again and would remain entwined for more than 30 years.

David and Cathy were married on August 13, 1983, among family and friends in her parent's backyard in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Their family grew with the birth of their children, Zachary in 1985, and Samantha in 1988. He always spoke proudly of his children's academic accomplishments and enjoyed watching them both play soccer, as well as participating as a coach from time to time, throughout the years. He was a truly loving, supportive husband and deeply devoted father. He greatly enjoyed making his wife and kids laugh, especially by doing “the bug”, a character from "Men in Black".

Working in the NDT industry for over 29 years, David's career led to many moves to various states with the family in tow. Beginning in Jacksonville, FL, these moves included Louisville, KY; Lynchburg, VA; Hampton, VA; Greenville, SC; and the last move, a return to Jacksonville Beach, FL. Employed by different companies along the way, he found his career home with XRI Testing, aka Integrity Aerospace Group (IAG) in 1997 as the laboratory manager in Hampton, coordinating the building and operation of this facility from its inception. While in Holland, MI, home of IAG, David played a leading role in the development and implementation of the Air Force F22 Casting inspection program, an instrumental and cutting edge project. Working alongside other Level III's from Boeing and Lockheed Martin, a protocol was developed that revolutionized the inspection of the new “fracture critical” titanium castings that held the wing to the fuselage. Independently, David created a new formulation to image the castings that allowed the stress indications to be seen. His method led XRI to be the only company F22 certified and to the opening of both the Hampton and Portland, Oregon facilities. In 2000, as a dedicated NDT facilities manager in Greenville, he supported GE gas turbine manufacturing and business development activities. Through extensive international travel, he also supported GE Energy with “supplier qualification” efforts to NDT processes. In 2008, he held the position as one of the top Sales Engineers for Test Equipment Distributors (TED), a sister company of IAG, and in 2011, he became Technology Sales Manager in the southeast for IAG's family of companies. A long time member of the American Society of Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) and the American Welding Society (AWS), David held professional Level III certificates in four methods of NDT and a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) title. His knowledge, insight, and experience allowed him to become a very successful and prominent businessman in the NDT industry.

Passionately and actively involved as a friend of Bill W.'s for over 17 years, David had the ability to influence and guide those around him, both young and old, with compassion and understanding. He helped many pursue a happy sober life.

An avid and enthusiastic golfer, David would play any and every chance he got. Receiving the “kitchen pass” more often than some of his golf buddies (who fondly called him “naked head”), he would scour his contact list to find someone to play with him and if that didn't work he'd just go anyway. Into physical fitness as well, he enjoyed working out at the gym and juicing some tasty – though sometimes strange – concoctions.

David passed from this life on May 30, 2014, at his home with his wife and children by his side. He now rests peacefully after his battle with cancer. His body cremated, his ashes will be spread in a place he loved best. He will be memorialized with a headstone in Pine Grove Cemetery, Waterville, Maine.

David had integrity beyond reproach. His joyful spirit and generous nature was undeniable to all. He worked his magic in this life with charm, grace, kindness and a bright smile. His ability to make us laugh has left many cherished memories that make us grin.

We loved him dearly and he loved us. He is and will be missed beyond measure.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am in a thousand winds that blow,

I am the softly falling snow.

I am the gentle showers of rain,

I am the fields of ripening grain.

I am in the morning hush,

I am in the graceful rush

Of beautiful birds in circling flight,

I am the starshine of the night.

I am in the flowers that bloom,

I am in a quiet room.

I am in the birds that sing,

I am in each lovely thing.

Do not stand at my grave bereft

I am not there. I have not left.

- Mary Elizabeth Frye -