Obituary of David Laird

David Laird, of Marshfield, Wisconsin, died on November 9, 2015, after a grueling struggle with neurological disease and cancer. He will be much missed by the love of his life, his wife of 60 years, Helen Lauritzen Laird; his daughter, Vanessa Laird; son-in-law, Timothy Raylor; grandsons, Julian and Edmond Laird-Raylor; and older brother, Melvin Robert Laird, Jr. An inspired teacher and distinguished scholar of Elizabethan and Jacobean drama, modern poetry and American Studies. David grew up in Marshfield as the youngest of four brothers born to Helen Connor Laird and Melvin Robert Laird, Sr. Following graduation from Marshfield High School, he attended Carleton College, the University of Chicago, from which he received a B. Phil., and the University of Wisconsin, from which he received a B.A. and Ph.D. in English. After being awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study in London, David returned home to take up his first college teaching position at Oberlin College in Ohio. From Oberlin he moved to California State University Los Angeles, where he taught until retirement. While teaching at Cal State, David received numerous honors and fellowships, including Cal State's Outstanding Professor Award, and Fulbright and National Endowment for the Humanities awards. In connection with these awards, David and Helen lived, studied and taught in many countries and places, including Tunis, Tunisia; Clermont Ferrand, France; and Ottawa, Canada. Throughout his travels, David returned to Wisconsin -- to Marshfield, to the Baraboo bluffs, and to Laona - to walk the woods and be with the people and places to which he felt deeply connected. He moved permanently to Marshfield on retirement and worked tirelessly to restore the Laird House, secure its place on the National Register of Historic Places and contribute to Marshfield's historic preservation. A student and scholar of art as well as literature, David developed a deep love of Native American culture and arts when teaching in a boys' boarding school in Waring, New Mexico in his college years. His passions also included California and Western paintings and works on paper, as well as Oriental rugs and textiles. His contributions enriched art shows at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point and the Palm Springs Desert Art Museum and can be found in the permanent collection of the Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles and the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Demanding of himself and others, David also had a playful and generous spirit. He loved playing checkers and poker with his grandsons and offering unexpected combinations - frozen yogurt with coffee, Valentine's Day cards altered to celebrate birthdays - to amuse his family and friends. He sensed when those around him were low or in need of reassurance and would quietly try to provide it without being asked. In the words of his grandfather, W.D. Connor, David always tried "to take the load, the knocks, and keep going." He inspired all those he knew to do the same, to have faith that, however bleak things might look, "the sun will come up tomorrow." We will miss you deeply, David.