In Memory

David McKay

David Angus McKay

 

David Angus McKay of Austin, born September 29, 1945, in Marshall, Texas to parents Malcolm G. McKay and Reba Hayes McKay, died in his sleep on February 7, 2003, after a long illness. David attended the University of Texas and fell in love with Austin. He earned a B.S. in Education in 1969, an M.S. in Educational Psychology /Counseling Psychology in 1973. A lifelong learner, David earned his Ph.D. in Educational Administration in 1985. David's professional life was remarkable and progressively distinguished. He began as an assistant instructor of English at the University of Texas, and later worked as a counselor/case manager at the local YMCA. After obtaining his Masters, he became one of the founding forces of Austin Community College (1973 - 1978), serving as Campus Dean at Crockett, and later as Director of Evaluation and Program Development. During this period he contributed to the development of the Human Services Associate Degree program, and he served on the Governor's Taskforce for Persons with Disabilities. Dr. McKay went on to serve the City of Austin by creating and managing the Office of Organizational Research until his retirement in 2001. David is survived by his brothers Malcolm H. McKay of Seattle and Daniel P. McKay and wife Kris of Austin, his sister Debra S. McKay and husband Col. Craig Argyle of Anchorage, his nieces Catherine McKay, Kelly McKay, Ali Argyle, and Leah Haynie, his nephew Ian Argyle, and his caring partner, Roy Ramirez of Austin. David is remembered by his friends and family as a bright, inquisitive man with a sophisticated sense of humor, and a master of irony. He was an engaging conversationalist, often drawing from a treasure house of poetry, and his knowledge spanned the arts, history and science. His presence was many times delightful and memorable. David celebrated life, and his intimate friends knew him as an unmitigated hedonist. We will miss you, David. The family would like to thank the many caregivers who treated and assisted David through his months of illness, especially Dr. Mary Maxwell and Edith Swartz, R.N. of Lone Star Hospice for their care and attention to David during his illness. A memorial service will be held at 4:30 p.m., Saturday, February 15th at the Zilker Park Rose Garden, with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in David's name to the Lone Star Hospice Foundation, 1212 Palm Valley Blvd. Round Rock, TX 78664