David G. Ward
David G. Ward, after a courageous battle with cancer, died on April 10 in Charlottesville, VA. He faced death fearlessly, just as he had lived, with unwavering hope in Christ. Known for his love of family and community, he was surrounded by a multitude of friends to the very end. He was 46.
Born June 20, 1963 in Bethlehem, PA to Dick and Margo Ward, he graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1981. In 1986 he married his High School sweetheart, Joanne Underwood. The couple moved to the Charlottesville area in 1991.
David Ward held engineering degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and was the Senior Technical Director and President of Barron Associates in Charlottesville. Highly respected in his field, he authored numerous publications and served as the Chair of important national and international committees and conferences. Mr. Ward’s research was concentrated in stochastic optimization of complex systems, robust on-line parameter identification, and receding-horizon optimal control. In 1996, Mr. Ward spearheaded the development of an adaptive flight control system that was the first ever to be successfully flight tested.
An avid outdoors person, David’s life was full of adventure. From piloting small aircraft to mountain biking, playing squash, zip-lining, riding motorcycles, and whitewater rafting, he was always moving. A committed Christian, he was a highly influential leader and skillful Bible teacher who served on the board of Elders in the churches he attended over the years. Dozens of men considered him their “best friend”. Intensely humorous, loyal and honest, David was known for his direct but relational style of communicating, loving people enough to tell them the truth and buy them a beer.
David Ward was a faithful husband and a loving father. He is survived by his wife; four children, Danielle, Karisa, Caleb, and Nicole; his parents; his brother, Tom Ward, and sister-in-law Michele, all of Earlysville.
A time of viewing and public visitation will be hosted on Wednesday, April 14th from 5 to 8PM at the Blue Ridge Community Church, 5372 Lake Saponi Terrace, Barboursville. The Funeral will be held at 2pm at the Christ Community Church, 329 Riverside Avenue, in Charlottesville, VA, with a reception following. There will be a private interment for immediate family members only.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Betel-Prague Fund (a rehabilitation mission for drug and alcohol abusers in the Czech Republic), c/o Rivanna Community Church, PO Box 587, Ruckersville, VA 22968.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Homecoming
After a long and heroic battle with cancer, Dave is now at peace and having a wonderful conversation with Jesus. He was loved by so many and will be missed greatly. Thank you all for your love, care and prayers during this past year and a half. Dave and I felt so blessed by all of you.
Joanne
Joanne
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Update on Dave
About two months ago, Dave's cancer medicine began to lose its effectiveness, so they decided to switch treatments. There was a promising drug trial at Duke that Dave wanted to try to qualify for. To do so, he went off all chemo for a month.
His liver did not do well. When he showed up at Duke for the trial his liver function numbers were not in line, and he did not qualify. In fact, without a properly functioning liver, no treatments were available for the cancer.
Ascites fluid has been building up in his abdomen, and he has had a few abdominal taps to draw that off. About two weeks ago, he had a procedure to place stints in his liver and pancreas, followed by a procedure to remove the one in his pancreas. He spent time in the hospital last week.
This Monday he was admitted to UVA Hospital again. They determined that his remaining kidney was losing its function. The doctors recommended some options for trying to address the kidney and liver function, with the hope that cancer treatment could be resumed if those functions improved sufficiently.
On Tuesday, Dave took a turn for the worst. After conferring with the doctors, the decision was made to focus on providing comfort care. His oncologist suggested that Joanne call the kids. They all arrived that day and have spent time with him at the hospital since then. Joanne has been with him virtually around the clock. Dave's parents, brother and sisters-in-law have had good visits, as have many friends.
The number of visitors and the depth of love expressed has been a testament to the impact Dave has had on so many lives. He is content.
Psalm 73:16-17, 23-26:
"When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me, till I entered the sanctuary of God, then I understood my final destiny.
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by your right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
His liver did not do well. When he showed up at Duke for the trial his liver function numbers were not in line, and he did not qualify. In fact, without a properly functioning liver, no treatments were available for the cancer.
Ascites fluid has been building up in his abdomen, and he has had a few abdominal taps to draw that off. About two weeks ago, he had a procedure to place stints in his liver and pancreas, followed by a procedure to remove the one in his pancreas. He spent time in the hospital last week.
This Monday he was admitted to UVA Hospital again. They determined that his remaining kidney was losing its function. The doctors recommended some options for trying to address the kidney and liver function, with the hope that cancer treatment could be resumed if those functions improved sufficiently.
On Tuesday, Dave took a turn for the worst. After conferring with the doctors, the decision was made to focus on providing comfort care. His oncologist suggested that Joanne call the kids. They all arrived that day and have spent time with him at the hospital since then. Joanne has been with him virtually around the clock. Dave's parents, brother and sisters-in-law have had good visits, as have many friends.
The number of visitors and the depth of love expressed has been a testament to the impact Dave has had on so many lives. He is content.
Psalm 73:16-17, 23-26:
"When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me, till I entered the sanctuary of God, then I understood my final destiny.
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by your right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
A few pics of my insides for your enjoyment...
Well, it’s been a while since my last update – almost 3 months. Since that time, I’ve had numerous Dr. visits, insurance company fights, scans, etc. Let me see if I can quickly get you all up to date.
Insurance: No news on the insurance front. I’ve got the VA insurance ombudsman in the loop, and he is doing an excellent job hounding on my insurance company. They have re-opened the case and are evaluating it again now.
Treatment (part A): I have a few subcutaneous (just under the skin) tumors that were growing and starting to irritate me. For your pleasure, I’m posting a picture of one of them now. You can see how the tumor grows through the abdominal wall and, as a result, is not amenable to being removed surgically. So…, I’ve begun treating it with radiation. We’ll see how this goes since pRCC doesn’t usually respond too well to radiation, but the radiologist is optimistic. I’m half-way done w/ treatments now (3 of 6).
Last week was a bit tough. I had a reoccurrence of ascites which was causing a lot of pain and nausea (including the first vomiting since my hospital stint). I spent quite a few days visiting Drs getting meds adjusted, etc. I went into the Hospital this past Monday to have the fluid tapped and --- good news --- over the weekend my body had absorbed the fluid and there was nothing to drain. I am feeling much better.
Treatment (part B): Last week I had a scan that showed some new tumors and some growth of the old ones. Here’s another picture of just some of the suspicious nodes (you can see 3 inside the circle). As a result, I’m looking to change drugs. You can be praying that I’ll make the right choice here; there are some new FDA-approved drugs that I haven’t tried yet; I can go back to some drugs that I tried earlier; or, I can find a trial of some even newer drugs. I’m researching it right now, and I’ll keep you posted.
Meanwhile, my spirits remain good, and I’m continually grateful for all your support. The word “thanks” doesn’t say enough. I love you all. -d
Insurance: No news on the insurance front. I’ve got the VA insurance ombudsman in the loop, and he is doing an excellent job hounding on my insurance company. They have re-opened the case and are evaluating it again now.
Treatment (part A): I have a few subcutaneous (just under the skin) tumors that were growing and starting to irritate me. For your pleasure, I’m posting a picture of one of them now. You can see how the tumor grows through the abdominal wall and, as a result, is not amenable to being removed surgically. So…, I’ve begun treating it with radiation. We’ll see how this goes since pRCC doesn’t usually respond too well to radiation, but the radiologist is optimistic. I’m half-way done w/ treatments now (3 of 6).
Last week was a bit tough. I had a reoccurrence of ascites which was causing a lot of pain and nausea (including the first vomiting since my hospital stint). I spent quite a few days visiting Drs getting meds adjusted, etc. I went into the Hospital this past Monday to have the fluid tapped and --- good news --- over the weekend my body had absorbed the fluid and there was nothing to drain. I am feeling much better.
Treatment (part B): Last week I had a scan that showed some new tumors and some growth of the old ones. Here’s another picture of just some of the suspicious nodes (you can see 3 inside the circle). As a result, I’m looking to change drugs. You can be praying that I’ll make the right choice here; there are some new FDA-approved drugs that I haven’t tried yet; I can go back to some drugs that I tried earlier; or, I can find a trial of some even newer drugs. I’m researching it right now, and I’ll keep you posted.
Meanwhile, my spirits remain good, and I’m continually grateful for all your support. The word “thanks” doesn’t say enough. I love you all. -d
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