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David A. Betts
David A. Betts of Southampton died on May 2 at his home at 65 Old Fish Cove Road in Southampton, with family by his side. He was 92.
He was born on August 25, 1928 in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, to Bernyce Dufton and William W. Betts.
Mr. Betts grew up in Clearfield, graduating from Clearfield High School. Upon graduation, he enlisted the U.S. Army. While he attended basic training, World War II ended. In 1948, David was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He graduated in 1951. While attending West Point, Mr. Betts met his future wife and mother of their three sons, Dorothy Dalton Dobson of Flushing, New York. Upon graduation from West Point in 1951, they married. Upon completing his military commitment, Mr. Betts was employed by Shell Oil and then General Electric. During that time, he became interested in the foreign service, joining the foreign service after a rigorous examination process.
The foreign service became the centerpiece of his professional career and personal life. He had significant impact globally, which was looked upon with great pride by his family.
Mr. Betts ’s 40 years of service started with his first assignment at the consulate in Turkey. His global journey of impact and influence took him to embassy or consulate assignments in Costa Rica, Hungry, Italy, France, Germany, Canada (both Montreal and Toronto), the District of Columbia, Philippines, and a special assignment in Vietnam. As a man of his experience, he was called upon for many inspectional and board appointments in his final years at the State Department.
Mr. Betts met his second wife, Kay, in 1972 in Paris, when he was consul general, and they married in 1974 during his assignment in Manila, Philippines. Post Manilla, his tour of duty included Montreal, Canada; Frankfurt, Germany; and Toronto, Canada. In 1985, he started his final assignment as political advisor to the commanding general of the U.S. Army based in Heidelberg.
Mr. Betts retired from that post in 1990, and chose to live in Toronto, which was Kay’s hometown and close to his beloved property on Georgian Bay. He was a lover of Airedale Terriers, and for 40 years they were a part of his home. He will be remembered by his friends and colleagues for his dry wit, his interest and knowledge of cultures, fluency in five languages, and his love of fine wines, food and travel.
He is survived by his three sons and their spouses, John Betts and Bridget O’Brien-Betts of Toronto, David Betts and Charlene Kagel-Betts of Southampton, and Mark Betts and Shelly Slade-Betts of Mclean, Virginia; his wife Kay Betts of Toronto; and nine grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife Dorothy Dobson; and his brothers Bill and Greg Betts.
Memorial donations may be made to the Animal Rescue Fund of The Hamptons, PO Box 2616, East Hampton, NY 11937-0248, in Mr. Bett’s name.
on May 10, 2021