David Noel Pocock

On the evening of July 9, 2022 the light went out on a Brilliant Star, David Pocock.  Born and raised in the Suburbs of Detroit, it was a perfect place for his inquisitive nature.  He was always fascinated by how things worked and whenever something broke in the family home he was happy to fix them, make them better, and leave extra parts in the process.
As a teenager, the gas and oils of Detroit ran through his veins.  A motor scooter was his transportation before owning a car at the age of 14.  He was an original "Gear Head" and shared his passion with all his high school buddies.  He was admired for his knowledge of engines and having the fastest muscle car in town. His high school friends still remembered the engine settings at his 40th class reunion.
David was an anomaly, he always knew what he wanted to do for a living, “become an engineer”.  A perfect fit for his internal drive of excellence from himself.  After high school he went to the University of Michigan on a scholarship.  His fraternity brothers swear that they passed their classes because of his help.  David graduated with a masters degree, but did not attend his own graduation, as a talent scout from an Aerospace company enticed him to move to Southern California to study the effects of nuclear radiation.  David’s level of excellence captured the attention of his company and soon he was the manager of a group of 28 like minded, highly intelligent, highly driven best in their field to develop a solution to "See in the dark".  His team developed the "Forward Looking Infra-Red FLIR" detector and he took his idea into testing and production.  This was the climax of working in the Aero Space industry.
David flourished personally in Southern California, trying many activities such as scuba diving, boating, dune buggies, volleyball, surfing, enjoying the beach life and bikinis. Life on the west coast filled his senses.  He met and married a co-worker, Ivy and the two of them raised two beautiful daughters, Mary Kay and Jennifer.  This marriage ended 10 years later and was the one thing he greatly regretted, probably the only thing he started and didn't finish.  He continued to love his daughters deeply but struggled with the reality of visitation.  Several years after his divorce he met his second wife, Cheryl and the magic of love lit a flame that never went out.  They had Jason, Carissa and Cindal, additional joys of his life.
Determined to be a more hands-on father David decided it was time to give back to society a part of his success in industry and education.  He felt he could best do this as a college professor.  Having spent some beautiful, successful days hunting in Oregon, he moved his family to Klamath Falls and worked at Oregon Institute of Technology OIT, as an Electrical Engineering Professor.  His voice could be heard throughout Boivin Hall and I always noticed his students leaning forward in their seats listening with rapt attention.  He made certain that all his students had multiple offers for jobs upon graduation.  He instilled his own personal ideas of excellence in his students and felt that they should enter the world prepared to make a difference in their circle of influence.
David built his family a home to meet all of their needs and raised his children with a balance of work and play, and to always ask questions.
David is best known for being charismatic and asking challenging questions that make you think.  Being a respected leader to his fellow workers and raising the bar to higher standards of excellence.  Being personally involved with the people in his immediate circle of influence.  Helping his students and children to prepare for success in life. Having high levels of expectations for himself and those he worked with.  Also, for finding the balance between work, play, and family.
He will be greatly missed by his wife, Cheryl, of 38 years; his children Jennifer, Jason, Carissa, and Cindal; his sisters Claudia and Mary, and the many lives he touched along this journey of life.
A Gathering was held on the evening of August 5, 2022.  A toast was raised in the honor of the many aspects and memories of David Pocock.  He wanted no fanfare only to make the world a better place in life.

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