Brigadier General David H. Cameron Sr. Dies February 14

Brigadier General David Herdman Cameron Sr. died on February 14, 2018, at The Colonnades in Charlottesville, Virginia. He was 90.

General Cameron was born on November 6, 1927, in Southampton, son of Robert Herdman and Clara Weeks Cameron. General Cameron graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1950. He served in the Army Corps of Engineers, going on to earn a master’s degree in civil engineering at Princeton in 1956, a master’s degree in mathematics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1960, and a Ph.D. in civil engineering at Princeton in 1970. He served in the U.S. Army for 38 years, 28 as a professor of mathematics at the U.S. Military Academy. He had tours of duty in Korea and Germany and he completed his military career as department head of mathematics, earning the Distinguished Service Medal upon retirement in 1988.

After retiring, he and his wife, Carolyn, moved to the Washington, D.C., area and lived there for 14 years before moving to Charlottesville.

General Cameron was renowned by colleagues and students as a master of the art of teaching, a “Teacher’s Teacher.” His passion for education and commitment to Plutarch’s principle that “a mind is not a vessel to be filled but a flame to be kindled” pervaded his work. In the words of prior student, Col. Rickey Kolb, “General Cameron’s contributions to the Department of Mathematics, USMA, the United States Army and the nation are immeasurable.”

He cherished his family and friends and they remember him as an exceptional man of honor and integrity, lovingly devoted to his family, and with a dry wit that entertained those lucky enough to be near him.

Predeceased by a sister, Barbara Cameron Forbes; he is survived by his wife of 64 years, Carolyn; three children, Leslie Anne Cameron and husband Ed Colonna of Virginia, David H. Cameron Jr. and wife Patricia of Massachusetts, Susan Cameron Reres and husband Tom Reres of Virginia; seven grandchildren, Kelsey Gwyn Butterworth, Kate Cameron Orb and husband Quinn, Anne Cameron Zgrablich and husband Andrew, Carolyn Cameron Voge and husband John, Shannon Elizabeth Reres, Erin Christine Reres, and Matthew Cameron Reres; as well as two great-grandchildren, Grace James Zgrablich and Reese Taryn Orb.

The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Friday, February 23, at the Teague Funeral Home in Charlottesville. A funeral service and burial with military honors will be conducted at Olivet Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville on Saturday, February 24, at 2 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Teague Funeral Home is handling arrangements and condolences may be expressed to the family online at teaguefuneralhome.com.