David Carr

David Alan William Carr was born in Eastcote, Middlesex, on August 17th 1946, the first son of Ronald and Ada (nee Manderson, and hence Mandy) Carr, and proud elder brother by a year to Leslie. At the age of 13, David traveled with Mandy and Les aboard the Windsor Castle en route to Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia, via Cape Town in South Africa. He attended Ellis Robins High School, achieving his ‘A’ Levels and excelling at various sports along the way. In 1963, his family transferred to Cashel, where sister, Deborah, was born in 1964. His parents proudly saw his graduation from the University of London in Rhodesia, with a BSc in Economics followed by the achievement of becoming a Chartered Accountant. After a year in the UK in 1972, he returned to Rhodesia, taking up employment with Price Waterhouse. He then accepted management roles at Reckitt and Coleman, moving with his two daughters Kairava and Shannon and their mother, Rita, to Salisbury then Durban, RSA. His successful career continued in Cape Town as he became the youngest General Manager employed by Reckitt and Coleman, worldwide. His subsequent move to Perth, Australia was not made lightly, David being sensitive to the impact on his family life, having already lost his beloved father and, in a tragic vehicle accident, his adored brother, in 1983 and 1986 respectively. The final 20 years of his life began when he moved to Des Moines, IA to join Patricia, whom he had known since university. Officially retired, he supported her in her design business, embraced his US citizenship, developed a passion for rowing, joining the Des Moines Rowing Club with Patricia. They won numerous medals in Midwest regattas; he also helped to grow the sculling program. As they traveled to Florence, Seville, the Loire Valley, Kent, and Melbourne, they rowed at every chance. Cruising became another passion, the highlight being the Panama Canal transit. He was an avid reader, loved trail walking, and painstakingly documented the Carr family history. This dedication provided distraction and comfort through his difficult final years battling cancer. Despite having family and friends dotted all over the globe, David never ceased to watch over each family member, observing their progress with pride and always on hand to support or advise whenever necessary. His strength of character, high sense of duty and deep love for family and friends have been an inspiration to all. This exceptional man is survived and will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his wife, Patricia, daughters Kairava and Shannon, their mother, Rita, sister Deborah, grandchildren Anu, Arian, Indra, Eleya, Michelle, Ashley, Casey, step-daughter and grandchildren, Juliette, Quinn and Cole, nephews Lance, Ben, Gareth and Bradley, great-niece Megan and great-nephew Stuart.