David Allan Fox

David Fox, age 58, died of a heart attack on Wednesday, June 27, 2018, after a year-long battle with cancer. Dave was a cheerful father, husband, brother, and friend, who would go to any length for those he loved. We will remember him for his profound generosity, relentless optimism, love of fun, and willingness to treat everyone like family.

Dave was the center of a huge network of friends and family, built through ballooning, bike riding, camping, and more. He inspired those around him to love deeply and unconditionally. His laugh echoed through many a family gathering; he was loud, irreverent, and quick to say what was on his mind. He was also incredibly smart and deeply contemplative.

Dave was born in 1959 to Elaine Bartel Fox and Robert Barnes Fox III. He was the second of five brothers: Robert IV, Richard, William, and Charles. The Foxes were an Air Force family, and moved often as the boys were growing up. Dave spoke fondly of causing mischief with his brothers, of camping with his Boy Scout troop in Montana, and of singing and participating in the ROTC program his father ran at Highland High school in Indiana. All of the Fox boys shared a love of flight with their father. When Dave graduated from high school, he took out a map and looked for the furthest place his ROTC scholarship would take him. He landed at Tulane University, where he studied mechanical engineering and built friendships and fireworks.

After graduation, Dave moved to Houston, where he met Mark Stiles, with whom he would build a community of friends, and then Marcia, with whom he would build a family. Marcia shared her love of the outdoors with Dave and guided him to be more thoughtful and circumspect. Dave brought her into his world of fast friendships and helped her grow more confident and open. Dave and Marcia married in 1985, and moved to Albuquerque shortly after. He enjoyed a long career at Intel, where he was known for his leadership, problem solving, and out-of-the-box thinking. After retirement, he used his powerful intellect and optimism to contemplate solutions to the world’s problems. He was a planner and problem solver, and invested a lot of time planning for natural disaster, brainstorming inventions, and pursuing his curiosity.

In 1995, Marcia and Dave gave birth to triplets, Nicole, Daniel, and Christina, who they love immensely. The new parents took their tiny campers on adventures all over the Southwest, and instilled a love of the outdoors in their children. Dave and Marcia valued education, and it was important to Dave to provide his children with access to phenomenal schools. He expected baby engineers, but learned to deeply value and respect the designer, physical therapist, and teacher that he got. All of them carry his generous spirit and love of family.

Dave was a man of many hobbies. Hot Air Ballooning was the most enduring, and he attended rallies everywhere from Gallup, New Mexico to Lorraine, France. For thirty-one years, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta brought the Foxes’ friends and family together, and provided a backdrop for shared food, silliness, and memorable adventures. Outside of ballooning, Dave enjoyed riding bikes, including several rides across Iowa, and skiing with his family in Snowmass, CO, where he was known to get lost in the trees, only to come flying out, pole-less arms akimbo. He fixed people’s appliances for friends and family near and far, pulled over to clear rocks or rescue bungee cords from the road, made sure everyone had enough batteries and flashlights, and hosted countless backyard barbecues for friends and neighbors.

He was, in his own words, a scenarist and an optimist. He was prepared to help anyone he could, and saw the best in his life and everyone in it.

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A Celebration of his life will be held on Monday, July 2, 2018, 9:00 a.m. at Elena Gallegos Open Space at the Kiwanas picnic area.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Union of Concerned Scientists in honor of Dave’s passion for combating global warming and leaving a sustainable world for future generations.