David Current ’63 P93 P96

A remembrance by Bud Eugster

Dave and I met as freshmen on fourth Davis. We remained good friends for the four years at Carleton, as we were both physics majors (only five of us). We spent a good deal of time in a research lab under Professors Reitz and Butler as well as studying together in Olin or at the library. He was easy to ask questions of, as there was never any sense of competition between any of us as physics majors. It was hard enough, and we each needed each other’s help.

He came to Northfield as a fine high school basketball player and continued to excel at the sport at Carleton. He had a patented corner jump shot (before the three point line, though somewhat after Naismith and the peach baskets). The shot, however, was somewhat limited by the overhanging running track at the corners of the old Sayles-Hill gym. He used to complain of the ball coming straight back at him when it was sure to have gone in the hole.

Dave continued his studies and research in physics, spending many years on the faculty of Central Michigan University. At his death I remember much written there about his dedication to teaching and the respect the students had held for him.

Dave and his wife, Diane, were regulars at most Carleton reunions and they will surely be missed at the 50th.
_______________________________________________________

A remembrance by John Turngren

When I think of Dave Current, the phrase that comes to mind is “go to guy.” I played on the Carleton basketball team with Dave for two years. He inspired confidence and was the “energy center” of the team, the player we all looked to, especially when the going got tough, because we knew we could count on him to make the play we needed. As a guard, a major part of my job description was to find a way to get the ball to Dave in his position as forward in the left corner. I knew that once he had the ball he would find a way to get it into the basket or to make a deceptive pass inside to our center, Jim Motzko. Either way, once Dave had the ball we’d usually get the points we needed.

Dave inspired confidence. This was evidenced by the fact that he was one of the “designated drivers” for our road trips, safely navigating one of the two college station wagons on those long excursions the team made down the icy, snow-swept highways of Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois. I was always behind in my studies at Carleton, and I needed to hit the books in a back seat on those trips. Knowing that Dave was behind the wheel, I could relax and focus on what I needed to do.