David McGavin

I met David when he joined our company as a young man having just completed his PhD at Sydney University. A super smart, very obliging and gentle man he brought extraordinary skills, tenacity and a practical ability with him to demonstrably show how we might go about new and complex research projects in a considered, timely and collaborative way.
Later pursuing his long successful career in the USA with wife Janine whilst raising a family was a great credit to both.
My sincere condolences to you Janine and to the extended family for your loss of a good man at such a young age.

David was always available to provide input and challenge our thinking. I first met David during the merger of Wyeth and Pfizer and later worked alongside for many years at Pfizer Animal Health/Zoetis. I found him very knowledgeable and willing to help and always with a smile. I valued his judgment and guidance and the occasional chat on cricket. Kalpana and I would like to share our sincere condolences to the family.

I am very sorry to hear this sad news of David’s passing. Over 30 years of knowing him both personally and professionally, I have appreciated every interaction with him. He had a sharp mind and was a wonderful person who will be greatly missed. Both Deirdre and I send our heartfelt condolences to Janine and the family during this difficult time.

I cannot express how this saddens me and I want to express my sincere condolences to Janine and the family. From the time David came to us at Pfizer Animal Health, he was a friend. He always had an ear to listen and was a provider of well informed advice. As the years passed and we took new roles at Zoetis our relationship only strengthened. He became my official mentor. I knew very little about being a project team leader. His door was always open and I was in his office usually a couple times a day. He took my development seriously and guided me in so many ways. I owe many accomplishments and avoidance of the perils that came with the role to David’s wisdom and guidance. We ate lunch together many days and always enjoyed each other’s company both at work and outside of work. Thanks buddy.

David was an excellent leader, mentor and friend. We often shared our thoughts and opinions on books, music, movies, travel and local politics. On business trips I attended with David, I always liked to sit next to him at dinners because he would likely choose a very local and often “adventurous” option on the menu, and it was fun to see his face light up when he made a good choice. He was the kind of person that showed up for the important things by investing his time, like watching colleagues compete in Toastmasters competitions and the many years he stood in the bitter cold supporting runners in the Kalamazoo Winter Blast. He loved his family, his work and his lake life. He was a good human who will be sorely missed.

Janine, please accept my deep condolence on the death of David. I was so sad to hear this news. He was an incredible boss, colleague and friend. I appreciate so much the mentoring, training, guidance and fun that we shared me over many years. He had an incredible intellect and shared it generously for the benefit of animals, colleagues, the profession and the company. I first met David during my visits to Groton from Sandwich (UK) and it was only when I moved from Clinical Development to Regulatory Affairs, that I really got to know him very well. On a professional level, reporting to him for many years starting in Brussels, I benefited from his encouragement, his coaching to be a better/more creative thinker, which ultimately contributed to me moving to the US upon his retirement. Given his mighty reputation, I had to pinch myself to ensure that it was real. It was real for sure and with his encouragement and support, he set me up for success. Even though it has been just five years since he retired, I still find myself when in a variety of work challenges asking, “what decision would David make in this situation?” This for me is the living legacy that David has given me and I am sure it will continue for many years to come. On a personal level, you both were so generous to me when I moved over to Kalamazoo. You entrusted me with your house, shared quality time on the lake on your boat, allowed me use of the jet ski, gave me so much advice, support and did everything to make the transition to the US so easy. I will never forget that generosity. It was a wonderful gift in life, meeting you all and it reminds me of the importance of family. It is always hard to lose a loved one and you, Analise and Zoe are in my thoughts at this time.

I was so sad to hear the news of David’s death. His arrival at Websters in the mid 1980s, shortly after completing his PhD, gave our research efforts a huge kick along. He was an absolute star, with a broad array of skills, and he contributed greatly to the company’s rapid growth during that period of his life. Sadly I lost contact with David after he and Janine went to the US but I’m pleased that we eventually managed to catch up again after their return to Australia.
I have passed on the sad news to all of the old R&D-ers I still know how to contact, and the many replies I’ve had confirm what I already knew – that David was liked, respected and admired by all who knew him.
All of us from yesteryear’s Webster R&D group send our deepest sympathy and best wishes to Janine, Annaliese and Zoe.