David Milton Salman ’58

Dave died Feb. 28, 2010.

Dave came to Princeton from Las Vegas High School, where he was an all-state football player. An art major at Princeton, he wrote his thesis on Edward Hopper, took his meals at Cottage, and excelled at rugby. Senior year he roomed with Coker, Nowell, Robert Wilson, Ball, Valuska, and Grubb. He remained close to them his whole life.

After serving in the Army, he returned to New Mexico, where he became active in the family ranch.  

Dave was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives in 1968 and was majority leader from 1971 to 1978. He introduced bills dealing with incentives for solar heating and power systems, and energy savings in public buildings. He was a primary sponsor of New Mexico’s nationally renowned school equalization funding formula. He also introduced bills to protect endangered wildlife.

Political and news observers had predicted that one day he would be governor of New Mexico, but in 1974 a horrific car accident almost cost Dave his life, led to years of reconstructive surgery, and effectively ended his political career.  

David was preceded in death by his son, Andy. To his wife, Marilyn; son Jeff; brother Bill ’55; sister Frances; and four grandchildren, the class extends deepest sympathy.