Brother David Alan Huebner ’81

Dr. David Alan Huebner, 45 of 6 Baldwin Place, Hampton Falls, N.H. died suddenly Saturday afternoon, November 15, 2003.

He was born in Wilmington, Delaware, June 14, 1958, the son of W. Alan and Diane J. (Smith) Huebner. Growing up in Amherst, N.H. and educated in Amherst and Milford, N.H. Schools, he graduated from Milford Area Senior High (MASH), Class of 1976. An involved and active student, he was a member of the National Honor Society and persistently demonstrated his enthusiasm through sports. An All-State soccer goalie, a member of the State Champion Spartan Basketball Team, a track and field star, he was thrilled to organize a post-graduation trip with his friends to the 1976 Summer Olympic Games in Montreal.

He soon moved on to UNH, where he majored in Earth Science and graduated in the Class of 1981. As in high school, he found the time to enjoy his college experience to the fullest. He pledged Sigma Beta where he was appointed Vice President of the fraternity and Rush Chairman. He was extremely active in fraternity team sports and liked to brag of his “one and only big catch” in football. His Beta Volleyball team won the campus championship two years in a row. He played intramural volleyball for UNH and was always referred to as “Heebs”. He felt great pride in being associated with the Greek System at UNH and was also extremely proud when his brother pledged his membership in Sigma Beta. Mr. Huebner always looked back fondly at his school years and his Alma Maters. He was keenly aware of the value of his education and the doors it would open.

In 1981, he took a position at Milford Area Senior High, teaching freshman earth science. He soon came to a crossroads and decided that his calling was in Optometry. He was admitted, having the lowest GPA in his incoming class, yet armed with much determination. He began his studies at the New England College of Optometry in 1982 and graduated at the top of his class in 1986. He was the proud recipient of several awards, including: the Gold Key International Honor Society, Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society and the title of Clinical Teaching Associate. He capped off his studies with the required internships in various locations: the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C., the North End Community Health Center, Boston, MA, and the Low Vision Specialty Clinic New England College of Optometry, Boston, MA.

Just as his career path was taking shape, he was also making significant changes in his private life. He married his love, Pamela (Peterson) in 1983, after meeting at UNH. They had fond memories of the many interesting experiences that came their way in the early years of their marriage. In particular, while Dave was attending Optometry school, they lived in the Gibson House museum in Boston, MA, one block from the Public Garden. Following graduation, they lived in the Rundlet-May House, in Portsmouth, NH. They served as tour guides in these historic homes. He then worked for the Eye Glass Shop and Franklin Block Opticians in Portsmouth, N.H. He joined the practice of Eyesight Ophthalmic Services, P.A in 1986. The two began their family and three beautiful children blessed their lives: Andrew, and the twins, Eric and Meghan. He immersed himself in every aspect of their lives.

Mr. Huebner enjoyed participating in outdoor activities with his wife and children. These included tennis, kayaking, camping, fishing, skiing, canoeing and going to the beach. He was also a great lover of stargazing and astronomy. Always focused on his priorities, he enjoyed opening his children’s eyes to the wonder of possibility. A golf enthusiast, he enjoyed playing with his friends and family and in recent years the time he spent with Pam on the links.

He shared family time with his children together, yet was keenly aware of their unique qualities as he shared special times with each. His son Andrew remembers his father attending his track and cross-country meets. His father stressed academics and was proud to see his son attend Governor Dummer Academy. His son Eric remembers fondly his father’s stories of how he earned money at his summer job at “Shore Foods”, in Bethany Beach, DE. Both Eric and Andrew loved watching Sunday football with Dad. His daughter Meghan tells of her dad attending her field hockey and soccer games. She affectionately called her dad “Baboon” and the two shared a joyful bond. She also loved spending quality time with dad, on Wednesday mornings, as he drove her to school or the orthodontist. Common remembrances of all the children were of helping them with their homework. Math was always on the table and dad would always be there to see it through. He always conveyed the idea that education was power and would open all the doors.

A man who worked very hard to achieve his dreams, he also enjoyed life to the fullest. He had an ability to find joy in small, everyday happenings, and to make those around him realize their uniqueness. Ice cream was a particular favorite of Dave’s. On the last day of school, it was a family tradition to celebrate this accomplishment with ice cream for dinner! The song “School’s Out for Summer”, by Alice Cooper could be heard as the family headed out.

He adored the kind soul he had found in his wife and together they appreciated the loveliness of the life they had built. They enjoyed each other’s company and moved together, in love, towards the common goal of a strong family. One of their most special memories was a surprise trip to Bermuda for their 15th wedding anniversary.

Mr. Huebner’s wonderful appreciation for life and the family he loved grew in the shadow of his own fragile health. At twelve, he was diagnosed with diabetes and in February of 2001, he was the recipient of a kidney transplant. Prior to his transplant, daily life became more of a struggle yet he continued to persevere without a complaint. His sister was able to offer give him the ultimate gift as his kidney donor. A renaissance occurred after his surgery and he was able to embrace the family that he so loved.

Whether it is in the simple pleasures of poker with his friends, goldfish pretzels, a Red Sox game with his family or a UNH hockey game, he appreciated everything and everyone that came his way. He instilled in his children a reverence for family and a clear work ethic that nothing comes without trying. Among his special, always-remembered qualities will be: humor, wit, creativity, game playing and problem solving skills, and incredible smarts. He was very proud of his family. He was uniquely humble about his lifetime of accomplishments. His family will miss him dearly.

In addition to his parents, of Bethany Beach, Delaware he is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Pamela J. (Peterson) Huebner of Hampton Falls, his children Andrew D., age 15, his twin children Meghan J. and Eric W. age 13, of Hampton Falls, his sister Cynthia Huebner Fagan and her husband Alfred F. III, of Hampton Falls, N.H. and their children Paige A. Brad A. and Mark W. Fagan and his brother Bruce R. Huebner and his wife Jane of Lone Tree, CO. and their children William J., Geoffrey A. and Katherine G. Huebner. He is further survived by his paternal grandmother Emilie W. Huebner of Rehoboth Beach, DE.

You are missed.