David Frank Gray

I met Professor Gray as an undergrad at the University of Western Ontario in 1999. Although I was enrolled in Computer Science, my childhood interest in space had led me to select astronomy as an elective. I learned a lot about astronomy, but the most important lessons Professor Gray taught were not limited to that subject. At the outset of the course, Professor Gray asked the assembled class why we had enrolled in University. Someone in the audience suggested, “to get a job,” and he responded, “No, the job is just a perk. You are here to get an education.” I have never forgotten that. Having become a teacher myself, it is a lesson I try to impart to my own students: Education is not a step on the way to a goal - it is the goal itself. This month, I finally thought to share with Professor Gray the impact that message - and others he imparted - had on me, but investigating how to contact him led me to discover that he had recently passed. I’m sorry that I never thought to tell him earlier. I will forever remember the standards and examples he set for all of us in that long ago classroom. My condolences to his family and friends.

I did summer student work in astronomy for three consecutive years at the Elginfield Observatory under Dr. Gray, and I truly cherish those memories and David's tutelage during that time. His book on Stellar Photospheres is still a standard reference for me 25 years later. He was a great professor and I loved his course on Classical Astronomy. I did not get to know him all that personally, but I did appreciate his strong masculine leadership and his intelligence.

I started university when I was 17 back in 1996. I was so focused and insisted on the taking science courses only which made my first semester very dry and stressful and made my university experience painful until my roommate who was studying social studies at the time suggested we try to take a random course together. We ended up in Prof. Grey's astronomy 101 class and I'm not exaggerating when I say he turned my year around. I tell people I loved my astronomy course, but it's not really so, what I loved about that course was the teacher. He made it so much fun, he was such a sweet person who was so passionate about what he taught and about his students, and it showed in every class. I will never forget his assignment: "go lay down and observe the moon tonight", nor will I forget his dad jokes: "We keep grad students locked up in a room working and roll berries under their door every hour for sustenance...". He was the kind of teacher and person and I strive to be all these years later. He will be missed, but never forgotten.

I met David about 10 years ago he hired me to do some ceramic tile and stone work throughout his home near St Mary’s we always had good conversation and he talked about his years with university and touched on his years in Wisconsin . He was always thoughtful and nice He also mentioned of camping with his grandchildren on his large property on the other side of his pond I have always thought about him now and again he will be missed dearly and my heart goes out to his family. Goodbye David enjoy your new chapter in Life

I started my master thesis reading his papers and the 1992 version of his book on Stellar Photospheres. During my PhD I read the 2005 version of the same book and sometimes I wrote to him to ask about his spectroscopic methods. I was so curious about his books and papers that I also read the version 1976 of the same book and all his papers. He was so happy about my extensive application of the line depth ratio method that he asked to me to let him know if I met errors in his book! We started a message exchange and he was very happy to know that I carefully read his books and papers. He found my opinions interesting! I felt small compared to him, but he made me feel at ease although I was a student. Now, I am a researcher and I consider David one of my mentors. His humility and amazing knowledge will miss to me. It is quite strange how I discovered about his passing away: I was looking at the 2022 version of the same book and I was thinking to write to him to send me an electronic version of the book, but I found the page of the obituary. I'm so sorry for his death. Thanks a lot David and rest in peace

I had the pleasure of knowing Prof. Gray through my older brother, Kevin Brown while at Western University. Dr. Gray was Kevin's PhD supervisor and on countless occasions I would visit the Physics and Astronomy Building to see Kevin, but happily run into Dr. Gray He was always kind, friendly and funny. He knew I was studying History and asked how things were going. I'm grateful we celebrated Kevin's graduation together, both at the ceremony and dinner too. His passion for Astronomy was more than apparent and his dedication to the Elginfield Observatory, and students was known. His knowledge and dedication to the field will live on, but as an historian, I will remember his smile and humour. With fond memories, Kara Brown Ian and Carolyn Brown

My condolences to the whole family. I only really knew Dave when I was a teen 'around the corner on the side road", but he was an example of what seemed to me an admirable renaissance man. Vale to a 'damn fine man."

I am very sorry to hear of Dave's passing. He was already an Emeritus Professor in Physics and Astronomy when I started 19 years ago, and I really appreciated his presence. He was one of my favourite guys to talk to. I respected him a great deal, and I find it hard to believe he's gone. Condolences to his family and close friends. - Prof. Blaine Chronik