David Charles Lindberg
November 15, 1935 - January 06, 2015
Obituary
MADISON-David Lindberg, aged 79, died at Covenant Oaks Memory Care on January 6, 2015, after a long, arduous journey with Alzheimer’s disease. He was born in Minneapolis, MN, on November 15, 1935, to Milton and Elizabeth (MacKinney) Lindberg. Dave is survived by his wife Greta (Johnson), of 55 years; their daughter Christin Lindberg of Minneapolis, their son Erik (Liana) of Milwaukee, and their grandchildren Annie and Dave Buenneke, and Evjen and Isak Lindberg; his sister Grace (Glenn) Johnson; his brother Phillip (Anita); and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. His degrees include Wheaton College, BA-Physics; Northwestern University, MS-Physics; and a PhD from Indiana University in the History and Philosophy of Science. After teaching for two years at the University of Michigan, Dave joined the UW in 1967 as a professor in the History of Science department, where he spent the rest of his career until he retired in 2001. During his career he received many writing, teaching, and service awards; lectured frequently in the U.S. and abroad; edited encyclopedic works; and authored many articles and books on medieval history, and science and religion, including “Beginnings of Western Science,” which has been translated into seven languages. He was devoted to his colleagues, department, and the UW, also teaching in the Integrated Liberal Studies program, and serving as director of the Institute for Research in the Humanities. He most loved teaching undergraduates and working individually with graduate students. Dave was also a member of the History of Science Society, serving as its president. He spent a year with his family at the Institute for Advanced Studies, in Princeton, and another as a member of St. Edmund Hall and Trinity College in Oxford. He was also a Fellow at the Rockefeller Center in Bellagio, Italy. Dave was a caring, loving husband and father. With his wife, he created a loud and lively home, filled with humor, books, discussions, and ideas. He taught his children to work with their hands as well as their heads, starting Lindberg & Son Roofing. Dave was known as a defender of correct grammar, builder of fine cherry furniture, planter of trees, collector of books, and lover of volleyball, football, fine tools and family camping trips. In thankfulness to the following organizations for their assistance and care in our journey with Alzheimer’s disease, we ask you to direct contributions to Agrace HospiceCare, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin, or Covenant Memory Center c/o Oakwood Foundation. The family is planning a celebration of life in the spring.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Avenue
(608)831-6761
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Memories
SP
Sarah Pfatteicher
Other •
Greta, I hope you have some inkling of the flood of posts that have been appearing on Facebook since the once and former HistSci grad students heard the news earlier this week of Dave's passing. I cannot imagine the department or the profession without him -- indeed, my own start in the department and the profession back in 1988 was largely due to Dave, without whom I would not be in Madison. You are in our thoughts repeatedly, and I hope the days ahead are filled with warm and loving memories of this remarkable man. Peace be with you and yours.
-Sarah Pfatteicher (with Bob Conlin and Ian Conlin)
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Michael Hinden
Other •
Dear Greta,
We were shocked and saddened to learn of Dave's passing, and our thoughts are with you at this sorrowful time. A warm friend and an invaluable colleague, Dave was the heart and soul of ILS. He was a model scholar and a masterful teacher, and always a wise presence in our councils, helping to guide us through difficult times. Without him, the program never would have survived the 1980s. But most of all, he was a delightful friend. I treasure the time spent with him, corny jokes and all. Betsy and I are grateful for the happy moments the four of us enjoyed together in Madison and France. Dave leaves behind so many good memories.. We will miss him. We send you our love.
Mike Hinden and Betsy Draine
AT
Alice and Norris Tibbetts
Other •
Dear Greta,
Norris and I have you in our thoughts. SO glad you visited us in New Hampshire when times were better and easier. Sincere condolences Love from us both.
HG
Hedda Goodman
Other •
Dear Greta,
I consider myself lucky to have had a glimpse into both Dave's professional life and personal life. I fondly recall hearing Dave give a jaw-droppingly brilliant lecture--what a privilege it was! It was also a privilege to speak with him at your bedside after your accident, and see the depth of his strength and his love for you.
Walt and I extend our heartfelt condolences, and hope that you find comfort.
With much affection,
Hedda
CS
Charles Scott
Other •
Dear Greta, I learned from Lee Hanson recently that Dave has passed away and then, of course, I read the obituary in the State Journal. I thought immediately of the morning at exercise when he told me that he was having trouble getting "the right word" for what he wanted to communicate and then he told me about having himself tested at the Memory Clinic and how he learned that his memory loss was real and getting worse. And then I remember the day I went over to your house to see if I could help with the move to Oakwood. I kept abreast of how he was doing from Dan Caufield and that's how I found out that matters were going downhill. I think of Dave often, keep him in my prayers, remember how good a man he was, how successful he was professionally, and what a fine colleague he was on campus. I miss him, as I do more and more of my campus friends, which I suppose is what one must expect in this "winter" of our lives, as a friend put it recently. My Anne is now also in All Saints Memory Care and I am learning, like you, to live this new, different life. I hope you are managing all right and remembering al the good things that you and Dave did in years past.
LM
Linda Merrill
Other •
Dear Greta, We just talked with the Peterson's and were told that Dave has passed. We fondly remember the neighborhood gatherings during the summer in your wonderful sun room. Linda is part of a Longitudinal Alzheimer's Study so that hopefully more will be learned of this devastating disease. John and Linda Merrill