David A. West ’53

David was born in Philadelphia and attended Germantown Friends School before coming to Princeton. He joined Tower Club, majored in history, and wrote his thesis on the “Progressive Movement and World War I.”

He served as an officer in the Navy after graduation and then returned to Philadelphia, where he worked for several years at the Philadelphia National Bank. In 1958, he moved to Smith Kline & French in the pharmaceutical industry, and in 1960 he joined Lea Associates, a marketing research agency where he served as vice president and eventually as owner.

When Lea Associates was absorbed by IMS, David spent several years in Mexico City, returning to Philadelphia in 1976. In retirement, he served on the boards of his church, the Germantown Friends School, and the Philadelphia Zoo.

Susan, David’s wife of 70 years, died in March 2023, and David died Sept. 15, 2023. He is survived by five children; 15 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.