Dr. David Michael Young

Dr. David Michael Young, 72, was a husband, father, scientist and a veritable force of nature! He died peacefully on the morning of Saturday, February 2nd at his home in Sullivan, Maine. He was born in Bluffton, Indiana on October 11, 1935 to Eli (“Bud”) Young and Ruth Young, owners and operators of Young’s Rexall Drug Store, formerly located on West Market Street at the current location of DeWayne’s Sweeper Shop. Dr. Young was a 1953 graduate of Bluffton-P.A. Allen High School and was one of four valedictorians of that graduating class. He received a B.S. from Duke University in 1957 and M.D. from Duke Medical School in 1959. He completed an internship in pediatrics at Duke University Medical Center before devoting his career to science. He spent his early years as a Staff Scientist in the Lab of Cellular Physiology and Metabolism at the National Institutes of Health and was Assistant Professor at The Johns Hopkins University. He served his country for two years as a Fellow in the United States Public Health Service. In 1965 he carried his work to the Massachusetts General Hospital where he became Chief of the Laboratory of Physical Biochemistry. He was Associate Professor of Biological Chemistry, Associate Chairman in the Division of Medical Sciences and later Chairman of the Ph.D. Program in Cell Biology at Harvard Medical School. He also served as a Tutor in Biochemical Sciences at Harvard College. In 1979 he went on to Chair the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Florida and was a Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics in the College of Medicine. He was a member of numerous professional societies and was elected Fellow to the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences. Dr. Young made lasting contributions to science through his research on the structure and function of muscle proteins and nerve growth factor in wound healing. In recent years he was a pioneer in his research on extremozymes. His passion for teaching helped chart successful careers for his students of medicine and science. He was a mentor to many in his teachings of biological chemistry, physical chemistry, cell biology, immunology, biochemistry and biophysical chemistry. He is survived by his wife Lucia Patat Young, his children Amy, David and Allison, his granddaughters Emma, Olivia and Ahma and his loyal kitty cat. His eldest son, Peter, predeceased him in 2000. He enjoyed gourmet cooking, sailing and was an accomplished pianist. He lived his final days appreciating the natural beauty of Maine. His dynamic presence will be deeply missed by his family and friends. He amazed and inspired us all! Funeral arrangements will be made by Jordan-Fernald funeral home, 113 Franklin Street, Ellsworth, ME 04605. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in his name to the American Cancer Society.

Dr. David Michael Young

October 11, 1935 - February 2, 2008