David Michael Singleton

David began his journey near Poole, Dorset, England when he was born to Hubert and Marjorie (Clutterbuck) Singleton. He completed high school at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Wimborne, then his BSC in Chemistry at the University of London (Queen Mary College). In 1960, he emigrated to Canada where met his wife Elizabeth (Sloan) in the STU line at registration at McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario. He completed his PHD in chemistry in 1965.

Following a two-year fellowship in organometallic chemistry at Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland , he began a 37-year career as a research chemist with Shell Chemical Company, in California, Houston, and Amsterdam. He received many patents for catalysts in the areas of air and water pollution and detergents. His patents for the detergent used in High Efficiency Cold Water Tide won him an award from the American Chemical Society.

Outside of work, he was active professionally in the American Chemical Society and Southwest Catalysis Society. For fun, he enjoyed reading, opera and symphony, archaeology, winetasting, growing roses, and playing rugby and curling. When he retired he traveled and was a Master Gardener.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his son David (Arthur). He is survived by his wife Elizabeth, his daughter Kitty, 5 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, his brothers John and Richard, and their families.

He died in the Memory Care Unit at Eagle’s Trace Senior Living. There will be no funeral service. He will end his journey when his ashes are scattered off the coast of San Francisco, his favorite place in the world.