David Anthony Roycroft

Preceded in death: (his parents) Jerome J. Roycroft and Madeleine Adele (Kurek) Roycroft, and Godmother Halina Kuhn, who contributed greatly to his life, especially after the death of his mother, at age 7.

Survived by his wife of 64 years, Adele Roycroft; daughter, Madeleine (Jeffrey) Leet; Granddaughters (Nicole Leet (Jacob Suarez), Dr. Jennifer Leet (Tyler Boorn), Morgan Leet) and Great-Granddaughters (Lillian and Violet Suarez); brother, James (Evelyn) Roycroft and numerous nieces and nephews.

David was known for teaching in the Science Department at Calasanctius School for Gifted and Talented in Buffalo, New York. He taught all levels of Biology, Chemistry, History of Science, Horticulture, Microscopy, Geology, Genetics, and Photography. He developed and maintained the school’s greenhouse collection of exotic horticultural plants. He built and maintained a lily pond in the side yard at the school. Along with teaching, he organized and served as faculty leader for eighteen 3–4-week student science field trips throughout the United States. He even obtained a special license to drive the infamous school bus for these field trips.

After the closing of the school, David moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama where in the Center for Communication and Educational Technology at the University of Alabama, his expertise in the sciences was utilized in curriculum development for distance learning program called Integrated Science for grades 6 – 8. The curriculum team for the Integrated Science program serviced more than 700 teachers and 70,000 students across 15 states and Canada. He especially enjoyed monitoring the recording sessions for the telecasts on location, across the world.

David enjoyed being a consultant for Advanced Placement Conferences where he presented seminars to educators regarding the AP exam in Biology, as well as serving as an Exam Reader in Biology for Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New York. David had many other professional experiences, too many to list here.

His love of photography piggybacked with loves of plants, nature walks, and family. From Classical piano to Dixieland Jazz, David enjoyed music, especially the live and loud venues. Writing the first initials of a statement on student’s papers, signatures and notes was often his way of communicating. (GWOB = Good Work Old Boy; FSIL = Favorite Son In Law, etc.) He had a kind soul and was always willing to lend a hand. He was a man of few words but when he did speak, he spoke with authority.

Education:

H.S. Bennett High School, Buffalo, N.Y. (Class of ’55)

B.S. Biology, Canisius College, Buffalo, N.Y.

M.S. Education, Canisius College, Buffalo, N.Y.

N.Y. State Permanent Certificate, Teacher of Biology, Chemistry and General Science

Professional Experience

• Chairman/Teacher, Science Department, Calasanctius School for Gifted and Talented, Buffalo, NY (1959 – 1991)

• Curriculum Coordinator, Integrated Science Program, Center for Communication and Educational Technology (CCET), The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL (1993 – 2001)

• Consultant/ AP Exam Reader, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NY

• Educational Consultant, Scoring (Math, Reading, Science), Pearson Assessment, San Antonio, TX

Additional Experience (Summer Months)

• NSF Biotechnology Workshop, Canisius College, Buffalo, NY

• NSF Cell Biology Workshop, Canisius College, Buffalo, NY

• NSF Workshop, Computers in Science Education, Canisius College, Buffalo, NY

• Research Assistant in Biochemistry to Dr. Marvin Tunis, Roswell Park Memorial Institute, Buffalo, NY

• NSF Research Participant Fellowship in Biochemistry of Sialic Acid, under direction of Dr. Marvin Tunis, Roswell Memorial Institute, Buffalo, NY.

• NSF Institute in Field Botany, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI

• NSF Research Participant Fellowship on the production and measurement of estrogen derivatives, under the direction of Dr. Roy Slaunwhite, Roswell Memorial Park Institute, Buffalo, NY

• Medical Illustrator, Millard Fillmore Hospital, Buffalo, NY

• Army National Guard of NY and Reserve Army National Guard of NY, 1960 – 1966, Decorated Sharpshooter (Rifle).

Professional Organizations

• American Association for the Advancement of Science

• National Science Teachers’ Association, Life Member

• American Orchid Society