Dr. David Gordon Jewett, age 63, died surrounded by family on August 24, 2022, after a courageous battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

Dave was big on education (his— yours— mine) and so we know he'd like you to learn a bit about the rare disease that took his life. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), unknown to many medical professionals, is a rare degenerative brain disease that causes serious issues with balance, movement, vision, speech, and swallowing. There is no known cause and no known cure.

PSP is a prime-of-life brain disease, often occurring in the 50's and 60's, when people may have family responsibilities, careers, and active lives — and if you know Dave Jewett, you know he ticked all of those boxes.

Upon his diagnosis, Dave was in the very odd position of knowing he didn't have much time left — but in his own words, "Oh well. I knew I would pass sometime. I guess it is more definite now."

In the very most Dad-move ever, he went ahead and mapped out his obituary (so no one else had to). An act so incredibly indicative of who Dave Jewett was: a deeply caring person willing to do whatever needed doing for those around him.

Dave was born to Mary Elizabeth (White) and David Maurice Jewett in New Brunswick, New Jersey on July 31, 1959, and had a childhood that, according to him, mirrored A Christmas Story . He was the very best brother, friend, cousin, confidant, and mischief maker.

At Syracuse University Dave worked as an EMT (becoming the Director of Operations at the Syracuse University Ambulance his senior year) and though he originally planned to work in broadcasting, Dave graduated from Syracuse with a BS in geology.

In 1981, Dave made his way to Wichita State University, where he bought himself a little yellow slug bug, received an MS in geology, and met the woman he would eventually marry. It was at a party (dubbed "Poriferan Hydrodynamics" by the flyer) that Dave and Kath really connected — she even ditched a blind date in favor of seeing him ( R-R-R , as Dave would say).

At 26, Dave received the Alliance Française Scholarship and a Fulbright scholarship to participate in the study of geostatistics and their application to hydrologic data in Fontainebleau, France.

While living in Fontainebleau, Dave invited that "sweet, charming, innocent, beautiful little country girl" to run off to France "with some crazy, off-the-wall, dead-beat geologist" and she did (for three months). When Kath returned home, Dave realized he couldn't wait another day and found a pay phone; one international call later, Dave and Kath were "sorta engaged."

Dave returned to the U.S. and in 1987, he and Kath married.

He and Kath welcomed their first daughter while Dave was pursuing his doctorate at the University of Arizona and in 1994, Dave received a Ph.D. in hydrology and a minor in civil and environmental engineering. After receiving his doctorate, Dave and Kath headed to Indianapolis, where they had their second daughter and Dave worked as an educator at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

In 1997, the EPA brought Dave, Kath, and their girls to Ada. Dave held many roles at the Lab, from Branch Chief to Acting Deputy Division Director, before eventually taking an early retirement due to PSP.

Dave had an absolutely enormous personality, was a jokester with an infectious sense of humor, and loved a good tropical printed button-down.

From being on the Syracuse crew team to sailing with the Sea Scouts, to coaching little league or cheering on the Yankees — Dave was a big sports fan. But he was an even bigger fan of watching his girls play basketball (he was known to let loose a "Holy cow!" or two at games).

Dave was at ease with people; he could talk with a small group or present research in front of hundreds. Dave had so much love. The best jokes (do you know how a horse bites an apple?), and the best laugh.

Working in government, academia, and industry, Dave wore many hats and was passionate about each endeavor — but you always knew it was going to be a good time when his Yankee's cap wound up on backwards.

Dave was the biggest supporter, motivator, and believer. He was unbelievably proud of the people in his life and loved to let you know it. He found particular pride in seeing all that his two girls were accomplishing with their lives. We will miss his constant encouragement, tight hugs, and wild mad-scientist hair.

Dave will forever remember 23 Sunset Boulevard, the Hook, Winona Lake, 3762 Fairlawn, the Wichita Mountains, and Jewdis Point.

Dave is survived and deeply missed by many. His partner and love of 37 years; Katherine Giesen Jewett (when Dave named three things he was grateful for, she came in at number one).

His kiddos (luckily also on the things-to-be-grateful-for list, thanks Dad); Andie Elizabeth and partner Siobhan Man of Hertfordshire, UK and Samantha Katherine and partner Hunter Gomez of Choctaw, OK.

His siblings, who he loved beyond the moon and back; sister, Barbara Noyes and husband Jeffrey Noyes of Shelbourne, VT, and brother Richard Jewett and wife Laura Jewett of East Brunswick, NJ. His siblings-in-law; Mark Schmidt of Edmond, OK, Myra Giesen and husband David Graham of Newcastle, UK, and Shirley Giesen of Wichita, KS.

As well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces — all of whom he loved so dearly.

Dave is preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, and his sister-in-law, Anne Schmidt, who we all know welcomed him home with big hugs and lots of love (and possibly a wet-willy).

People often expressed their sympathies after learning of Dave's diagnosis, but his response was always the same, "C'est la vie." That's life, and that was Dad.

To borrow a few more of his words: Miss you lots and see you soon .

A visitation will be held at Criswell Funeral Home on the evening of September 9, 2022, from 5 PM - 7 PM. The following day, September 10, 2022, a service will be held at 2 PM at Criswell Funeral Home. A celebration of life will follow from 3 PM - 5 PM at the Family Life Center (820 Stadium Dr, Ada, OK), with a light meal and a time for sharing to happen at 3:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either: CurePSP at 1216 Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001 or online at http://psp.org/iwanttohelp/ways-to-give/ .