David H. Saxe, 73, of Auburn, NH, died Tuesday, January 4, 2022, in High Point Hospice, Haverhill, MA, after a battle with cancer. He was born in Bryn Mawr, PA on July 8, 1948, a son of LeRoy and Martha (Leamer) Saxe.
He is survived by his life partner, Barbara A. Benton of Auburn, NH; son, Christoph Saxe and wife Christine of Vancouver, WA; daughter, Tonja Vitale and husband Rich of Colts Neck, NJ; two grandchildren and his brother, Timothy Saxe and wife Susan. He was married at an early age to Margaret Saxe with whom he had his son and daughter. He and Margaret divorced after 10 years but remained close friends. He then spent over 40 years with his life partner, Barbara Benton.
David graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia with a degree in mathematics. He worked at Educational Testing Service in Princeton, NJ from 1970 through the mid-1980’s working on statistical research and analysis of various educational test programs.
In 1986 David joined the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, NJ as the Director for Computing for the College of Natural Sciences. For the next 15 years David was responsible for the computational network for the Institute's scientists, and was a frequent and highly-valued collaborator on some of the research in the College.
Three of his research efforts deserve particular notice. He assisted Professor John Bahcall's study of neutrinos, exotic subatomic particles produced in fusion reactions in the core of the sun. Bahcall's models made predictions of the number of neutrinos that should be detected by Earth-based observatories; the discrepancy between the observations and the models forced a revision in the basic laws of physics. David's work with the Institute's Donald Schneider, who later moved to Pennsylvania State University, on large-scale astronomical surveys led to the discovery of the most distant known object in the universe.
During the early 1990s David collaborated with Bahcall's and Schneider's projects using the newly-launched Hubble Space Telescope; this effort produced some of the earliest scientific publications from the satellite.
David was a key contributor to many of the Institute's scientific efforts, and his work was frequently recognized with coauthor ship or special acknowledgements in publications. His many innovations and deep understanding of scientific computing advanced our understanding of a number of basic characteristics of the universe.
David was fortunate to grow up with parents who taught him about the importance of nature, art and music. He was an avid lover of nature and spent as much time as possible immersed in it. He and Barbara were active volunteers at the Massabesic Audubon Center for over 10 years, greeting visitors every Sunday and feeding their resident raven. They both enjoyed camping, kayaking, hiking and cross-country skiing together. He climbed Mt. Washington and even spent some time backpacking in the Alps. He loved travel and became an accomplished commercial rated pilot. David was a talented nature photographer and became very interested in the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804. He followed the entire Lewis and Clark Trail several times either by car or in his Cessna 172 while documenting his whole journey through ground and aerial photography. He would later present numerous lectures on the subject and display up to 80 framed photographs of his travels.
David loved music and playing guitar, and he especially enjoyed his classical guitar lessons over the past several years. He and Barbara hosted a bluegrass party every year that drew guests from all over for the wonderful live music, the restaurant grade culinary menu (made entirely by him and Barbara) and the beautiful, framed pieces of art captured by his lens. All who knew him were amazed by his many talents, his interest and expertise in so many different fields of study and his general love of life. He will be missed by all who knew him but his contributions to this world will carry on his name.
Following cremation, a private family service will be arranged at a date to be determined. The Peabody Funeral Homes & Crematorium is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Lakes Region Conservation Trust,