Without David Bird There Would Be No Conway School Today From “Remembering and Honoring David Bird, Trustee Emeritus,” in con’text (2007)
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avid Bird died in his sleep in his South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, home on October 29, 2007. He was a linguist, specialist in eastern European affairs, political consultant, and social activist. In addition to his wife Jeanne, David leaves two sons, Marten and Matthew, a daughter, Rachel Bird Anderson, and a brother, Charles Sumner Bird III. David Bird’s contribution to the Conway School of Landscape Design was prodigious. Indeed, it is no exaggeration to say that without David Bird, the fledgling school might not have survived its early years to grow into the nationally recognized school of landscape design it is today. Serving as Chair of the Conway Board of Trustees in the 1970s and into the 1980s, David marshaled his strong organizational skills, together with his great determination and persistence to help achieve legal status and initial accreditation for the Conway School. After stepping down as a board member, he was named Emeritus Trustee. Among the top donors in the history of the school, David’s early financial support matched his input of time and expertise and was critical in keeping the
David Bird’s family—wife Jeanne Bird (far right), daughter Rachel Bird Anderson (far left), and son Marten Bird (second from right)—greet the first two David S. Bird International Service Fellows: Alicia Batista ’07 and Kyle Haley ’09.
school afloat; his support of the 2002 capital campaign for the new campus was key, and he continued giving annually and generously to Conway. Walter Cudnohufsky wrote: “David had a knack to see the truth and to serve the underdog, the needy, and the unrecognized. He rightly With the leadership and financial took pride in the school’s several accomplishments and support of David Bird the Conway School survived its in its hard-won struggles. The early years. uneven and often challenging economic times did not make it easy for a school that insisted on not relying on grants with strings attached. Legal wrangling for non-profit status and accreditation for this unorthodox school also needed David’s attention. He appeared instantly and focused when any crisis would arise. He and Jeanne hosted trustee meetings on many occasions. David was practical and protective and asked only to serve, which he did selflessly.” From Rachel Bird Anderson, David Bird’s daughter: “Several times over the years I accompanied my father, David Bird, to the school. I am so glad for each and every memory of the Conway School trips. Each trip unveiled to me just a little bit more of a vista on the special school he cared so much about—the people, the premise, the place, the energy. Especially in the last years, it was one of the few places he wanted to visit— to see for himself what was happening—to be with. It will forever remain a special place to me, as it was so near and dear to him.” ... Updates: Like her father before her, Rachel Bird Anderson now serves on the Board of Trustees of the Conway School. Established in 2009, the David Bird International Service Fellowship has sent two Conway graduates to work in Panama, two to Bali, Indonesia, and next year (2013) will send one to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. n
FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY REPORT
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