IN MEMORIAM
David R. Treadwell, Sr.
d. January 15, 2010

David R. Treadwell, Sr.

a nationally esteemed bridge player and a member of the American Contract Bridge League Hall of Fame, died on January 15, 2010, in Wilmington, DE.

Treadwell earned nearly 26,000 master points in a bridge career that began in the early 1930's when he was a student at M.I.T. He continued to play tournament bridge throughout his life; indeed, he played in two different events on the same day, just one week before he died at the age of 97. He won two North American Championships and served on scores of local, regional and national committees, including the Goodwill Committee and National Appeals. Treadwell was known for his great respect for the game and for all those who play it. Shortly before he died, a local Wilmington player noted that, "Most elite players won't have anything to do with players like me, but Dave was great to everyone." In addition to his bridge prowess, Treadwell was known for his sense of humor, which manifest itself in corny jokes, groan-inducing puns, and chicanery like laying down cards from a trick deck during a serious bridge hand.

Treadwell enjoyed any and all games requiring mental skill (e.g. Backgammon and Scrabble), but blackjack was his favorite non-bridge activity. For more than 30 years, he drove to Atlantic City to play blackjack. As a card counter (varying the size of his bets depending upon the remaining cards), he was a winner every year.

Treadwell, a son of Theodore R. Treadwell and Rebecca Capen Treadwell, was born on September 12, 1912 in Arlington, NJ where he spent his boyhood years. After M.I.T., he worked as a chemical engineer for DuPont for 40 years, operating the pilot plant for Teflon in Arlington, NJ and serving as superintendent of the plant in Parkersburg WV. He worked on the Manhattan Project during World War II in Hanford, WA.

Treadwell was predeceased by his wife Sarah Kenniston and his youngest son Anthony. He is survived by a daughter, Martha Karlovetz of Venice, FL and a son David, Jr. of Brunswick, ME, two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Consistent with Dave Treadwell's lifelong love of bridge, the memorial service will be a special bridge tournament to be held March 7.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Brain Tumor Association; or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, PO Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202.

Arrangements by CREMATION SERVICE OF DELAWARE

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