On Saturday March 2nd, 2019, David Hungerford, loving husband and father of three children went to be with the Lord at the age of 80. David was born on May 4, 1938 in Rochester, NY to Samuel and Marjorie Hungerford and raised in the town of Sodus. His small-town upbringing shaped his worldview and played a major role in the person that he would become later in life.
As a child, his passion for helping people was sparked by the compassion of a small-town doctor that treated him for a burn injury. From a young age, he knew that he wanted to dedicate his life to helping others in the same way. David was a pioneer in the development of modern total joint replacement, holding several patents and developing successful implant systems.
His love of learning drove him to constantly innovate and his love of teaching multiplied his knowledge among those whom he taught all around the world. Over the span of his 40-year career at Johns Hopkins, he wrote 17 books, authored 268 peer reviewed articles, was the founding editor of the Journal of Arthroplasty, and received a lifetime achievement award from the Knee Society. Above all, David was a dedicated husband and family man.
On July 20, 1962, he married the love of his life, Uta-Heide Jung. They raised three sons: Marc, Kyle, and Lars. Despite his demanding career, he made it a priority to make time for his family.
As a father, he was an excellent role model on how to treat others, how to love your wife, and how to lead your family. If asked, David would tell you that his love for the Lord Jesus was the driving force in his life. He impacted others because he led by example.
Generosity, kindness, and compassion were the fruits of his love for people and he showed this though his commitment to Christian philanthropy. Using royalties he earned from his commercial successes, he founded the Tree of Life Foundation in order to provide micro-capitalization projects throughout the Third World. He also served as chairman of the board for both CURE International and MAP, charities that provided pediatric orthopedic care and medical supplies to those in need throughout the world.
He was awarded Humanitarian of the Year by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons in 2013. In retirement, he pursued his second calling and dedicated himself to the project of Muslim-Christian reconciliation. Working with scholars from both faiths, he funded and edited the first new translation of the Koran into English with references to the Bible in an effort to find common ground.
Despite all the accolades and accomplishments, David will be remembered most not for what he did but for who he was. Never one to take himself too seriously, he loved to laugh, play pranks and just enjoy life. Wherever he went, he came away with new and lifelong friends.
He was known for his warm smile and compassionate spirit. A giant in his field, but still a small-town boy at heart. He leaves behind his loving wife Heide, his three sons Marc, Kyle and Lars, his brother Dan, sister Nancy, and his six grandchildren, Sydney, Elijah, Meredith, Alex, Lucas, and Harlow.
He will be missed by many more.
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