Sometimes the brightest lights leave us all too soon. In a very real sense, that is the story of The University of Tulsa alumnus Dr. David Markley Childs (BS ’84) whose love of life was apparent to all he knew.
David was interested in so many things. He loved the outdoors, especially skiing and fly-fishing. He loved college and the good times he had with his Sigma Chi brothers. He would borrow his father’s Cadillac and host parties at his family’s townhome. And while he loved the social and personal experiences that TU provided, he had a more serious goal as well. He knew he wanted to become a pediatric dentist, so he applied himself to his undergraduate studies. After graduating from TU with a degree in health science, he began dental school at Emory University, but that school closed its doors soon after he enrolled. Undeterred, he transferred to the University of Colorado, Denver, where he graduated in May 1988.
David’s successes and plans were overshadowed, however, by a cancer diagnosis, and just as he was planning his dental residency at Wisconsin Children’s Hospital, the battle became fierce. He and his sweetheart married in June and enjoyed a few short months as newlyweds before the disease claimed him that November.
Children are not supposed to pre-decease their parents, but David’s father, Peter A. Childs, and stepmother, Rosalie F. Childs, chose to have something good come from this tragedy. They recognized that many discoveries and advances remain to be made in health fields such as medicine, dentistry, biomedical research and related areas – advances that may help us understand and possibly cure major diseases like cancer. But this can happen only if promising young scientists and health care professionals have the opportunity to be educated, as David was.
With this in mind, Peter and Rosalie established the Dr. David Markley Childs Memorial Scholarship. This endowed fund provides scholarships to students majoring in a pre-dental or pre-medical program through the Oxley College of Health and Natural Sciences. Recipients are known as Dr. David Markley Childs Memorial Scholars. Peter and Rosalie see no better tribute to David than to help similarly talented students pursue their own careers in health care.
