CROSS SECTIONS MAGAZINE / SPRING 2017 47
IN MEMORIAM
David Crist ’02 Jan. 10, 1984–Dec. 5, 2016
David Crist, front row center, at a publications convention at Columbia University during his senior year of high school.
On Dec. 5, 2016, David Crist ’02 died in a motorcycle accident in the Pacific Palisades. Twenty years ago, David joined Crossroads School as a seventh-grader. Rather immediately, this charming and fun-loving young man embraced all aspects of his new school. From the classrooms to the fields and courts, David’s active mind and physical skills were quickly and deeply engaged. To become friends with David meant that you were friends for life. David had an unusual knack for having meaningful conversations and relationships with people of all ages. Most of the people who spoke at David’s Dec. 14 memorial service met at Crossroads in the seventh grade. Others met David at Brown
University and one more recently was a student of David’s. Everyone spoke about his innate and deliberate gift for the zest of life. Years ago some of David’s friends even seriously considered creating a TV series about him. David enjoyed an enviable and healthy balance in his life. He was pursuing his writing after further studies on the subject at USC. David shared his academic knowledge and teaching skills by taking over for Middle School teachers Marisa Alimento and Grainne O’MalleyRamirez when they went on maternity leave. He coached Middle and Upper School volleyball teams and surfed whenever possible. David’s passions included traveling
the world; recently he and his mother, Jane, completed a bike tour of Italy. David’s continued connection to Crossroads brought significant joy to our community. Displaying quiet confidence and a peaceful nature, the pleasures of his intellectual engagement and general curiosity about people and life were obvious and evident for anyone lucky enough to have enjoyed his company. We will miss David immensely.
Morgan Schwartz Assistant Head of School & Dean of Faculty
Crossroads has established the David Crist Scholarship Fund to provide financial aid to students in need. To make a gift, please visit xrds.org/DavidCrist