David Bankes Glass

David Glass, 64, of Atlanta, GA, died Wednesday December 21, 2011 as result of treatment related myelodysplasia stemming from his nearly 8 year battle with multiple myeloma. David was born in 1947 to Robert F. Glass and Muriel R. Glass and was the eldest of three brothers. He spent a portion of his childhood in the San Francisco Bay area where he developed a love of nature. David graduated from Purdue University where he was inducted in Rho Chi, the Pharmacy Honor Society, and received the Merck Index Award. He earned his Ph. D. in Pharmacology at the University of Minnesota where he met and fell in love with Nancy Newton, his wife of 38 years. He did postdoctoral training with Nobel laureate Edwin Krebs at the University of California at Davis and at the University of Washington School of Medicine. For twenty-five years he was a member of the faculty of Emory University School of Medicine in the Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry. He was a dedicated scientist, researcher, teacher and good citizen of the University. After his retirement, he pursued his love of golf and was proud to win the Presidents Cup, the Senior Division Club Championship, and the Handicap Match Play Championship at Druid Hills Golf Club. David particularly enjoyed the company of his many fellow golfing friends. After giving orchids as an anniversary gift to Nancy, he took it upon himself to attempt to keep the plants alive and to make them bloom again. This endeavor soon blossomed into a deep love of the horticulture of orchids and he received numerous awards for his exquisitely cultivated specimens. David joined the Atlanta Orchid Society and enjoyed the company of many orchid enthusiasts. He was pleased to serve in various capacities including the Board of Trustees. He planned and executed the construction of a professional level greenhouse on his and Nancy’s property that housed, at the time of his death, over 350 orchids of diverse genera and species. In addition to his green thumb, David was also an avid bird watcher and naturalist. David is survived by his wife Nancy Newton, son Elliot Glass, mother Muriel Smith and brothers Steve and Brian Glass. His aunt and uncle Marjorie and Morris Conly live in Indianapolis, IN, and he has numerous cousins in various parts of the country.
David put up a brave fight against multiple myeloma for many years and felt fortunate to live very close to Winship Cancer Institute with their excellent multiple myeloma program. It would be impossible for Nancy and Elliot to adequately thank the physicians, nurses, physician assistants and everyone supporting the multiple myeloma program, bone marrow transplant program and infusion center of Winship Cancer Institute and Emory Hospital. There couldn’t be a more wonderful group of people. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.
In an attempt to help others afflicted with this disease, Nancy and Elliot have set up an endowment fund to support myeloma research at Winship Cancer Institute. If you would like to honor David, please consider a contribution to the “David Bankes Glass Multiple Myeloma Research Fund” at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University checks payable to Winship Cancer Institute, 1762 Clifton Road, Suite 1400, Atlanta GA 30322 http://cancer.emory.edu/support. Please no flowers.
There will be a Memorial service for David on January 7 at 4 pm in the Little Chapel of Glenn Memorial Church, 1660 North Decatur Road, Atlanta, GA. A reception will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 in David’s home. Please join the family at either or both events.
Sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you.
Nancy and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. David was too young to lose, as was my Richard. You are in my heart and prayers. Richard always thought so much of you, and I know he would share my sorrow.
Dear Marjorie:
What a wonderful nephew. So sorry for your loss.
Flo Hoffmann
My condolences on your loss. From a member of Caroline Scott Harrison Chapter, NSDAR, Indpls. IN Kay Nickey
Dear Nancy and Elliott,
Elaine and I wish to express our sincere condolensces on the loss of David. He was not only one of our family’s most loved members but I personally knew David well in our younger years in Indianapolis in North Central high School, Scouts and family gatherings. We have had many fond memories of David’s pleasant personality and delightful sense of humor. We know that our memories are only a fraction of the joys you must have experienced.
We will remember David as a great friend, a scholar and great leader in his profession but most of all a great father and husband to his family.
Michael and Elaine Conly