David F. Sheldon | Bainbridge Island Review

David F. Sheldon

February 2, 1929 – June 2, 2022

David F. Sheldon, a resident of Bainbridge Island since 2008, died in his sleep Thursday, June 2.

Born on Groundhog Day in 1929, David has put his 93 years to good use with personal commitments that have earned him many professional accomplishments that have earned him the respect and admiration of his peers.

David was born in New York and raised in Ponca City, Oklahoma, Fort Worth, Texas, and for most of his youth in Shaker Heights, Ohio. If there was a theme for those early years, it was that of a boy on the move—mostly on his bike riding up and down the hills of the Midwest.

His thirst for new experiences led him to complete his secondary education at Uppingham School in the East Midlands of England. After college at Amherst and business school at Harvard, he worked on Madison Avenue for three years before moving with the love of his life, Judy Sheldon, to Concord, Massachusetts, where he accepted a job as history teacher at Middlesex School. After a further stint as director of admissions, David became Middlesex’s third director, a post he held for twenty-six years. Upon retirement, he and Judy moved to Shelburne, Vermont, where he ran the Shelburne Museum, a preeminent collection of American folk art, for six more years. During his career, David has served on numerous boards including Carroll School, Charles River School, InterAlp,

Athens College (Greece), the Headmasters Association, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Vermont Public Radio and Shelburne Farms. When Judy died, David moved to Bainbridge to be closer to his grandchildren.

David will be remembered for his humor, his generosity and his keen intelligence. He mentored hundreds of girls and boys during his time at Middlesex, as well as his family and friends who appreciated his listening skills and wise advice. He was always an advocate for young people in a society that often ignored young people’s perspectives and voices. His passion for books, poetry, small boats, dogs, fishing and bicycles continued until the very end of his life. On sunny afternoons, he could almost always be found cycling through the south lanes of Bainbridge and moving far too fast for a 90-year-old guy. He loved the written word and was an energetic and devoted correspondent. Many will greatly regret the pleasure of finding one of his letters in their mailbox.

David is survived by his three sons, Fred Sheldon (Donna), of Nashua, New Hampshire, Charles Sheldon (Sonja) of Millsfield, New Hampshire, and James Sheldon (Jennie) of Bainbridge Island, and two grandchildren, Tyler Sheldon from Corvallis, Oregon and Jessie Sheldon from Homer, Alaska. Donations may be made in his memory to Bainbridge Island Rowing to support the completion of the new boathouse in Waterfront Park.

Arrangements are in the care of the Cook Family Funeral Home on Bainbridge Island.