David Leary Nock

David Leary Nock passed away at the age of 55, suddenly and unexpectedly, due to complications from a pulmonary embolism in the early morning hours of Monday, March 3, 2025, in the Emergency Department at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham, Washington.

David was born in Houston, Texas, on April 27, 1969. Soon after, his family moved to Swanton, Maryland. He graduated from Southern Garrett County High School in 1987 and went on to earn a degree in Environmental Analysis and Planning from Frostburg State University in 1992.

In Swanton, David grew up surrounded by pinewoods in a quaint Victorian house perched on a hillside overlooking the small town below. Eager to leave his childhood hometown and set off on grand adventures, he took a surveyor position with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) after college. His travels took him far and wide, allowing him to explore nearly every state, city, town, park, highway, river, lake, and back road across the contiguous 48. David had an exceptional ability to read maps and memorize every detail.

Being a surveyor fueled David’s passions for geology and natural history. During his years of traveling, he amassed an extensive collection of rocks, minerals, fossils, and artifacts, which he mailed to his parents in Swanton for safekeeping. One of his favorite specimens was the ammonite—fossilized cephalopods with iridescent, coiled shells, millions of years old. His love for discovery led him on countless early-morning road trips with fellow ‘rockhounds’ in search of new finds on his trusty Vespa. Alongside his tools of the trade—pickaxes, hammers, and safety gear—David also loved beachcombing, always on the lookout for anything interesting, unusual, or downright unidentifiable.

On November 4, 2006, David met his future wife, Livia (Lia). Their first date in La Conner, Washington, lasted ten hours—surprising them both. They married in June 2009 in New Haven, Connecticut. David applied for a position at Yale University, first as a Research Assistant and later as a Research Associate working in Public Health. The academic environment suited his curiosity and desire to absorb new knowledge. He loved attending talks at Yale’s Peabody Museum on topics related to the earth sciences, minerals, rocks, and fossils. David was always exploring new experiences—attending plays at the School of Drama, visiting the Yale Art Gallery, the old Furniture Study, the Yale Center for British Art, and presentations and field trips organized by the Audubon Society. He was also deeply involved with mineral clubs in Connecticut and throughout the Northeast.

However, he soon realized that beyond the cultural riches, New Haven held another treasure: the New Haven–style pizza, which he couldn’t get enough of.

David’s and Lia’s most cherished moments together were spent by the ocean—from Maine to Washington, Chincoteague to the Outer Banks. David loved exploring beaches of all kinds—those with boulders, white sand, pebbles, sloping cliffs, or driftwood-strewn shorelines. After long days of exploration, finding a restaurant to enjoy the local cuisine was their golden rule—lobster in Stonington, salmon in Seattle, shrimp in Chincoteague, and poutine in Castine, to name a few. Finding local antique stores was also high on their list of vacation must-dos.

David treasured attending family reunions in North Carolina with extended relatives on his mother Emily’s side. His personal tradition was to greet and bid farewell to every single person at family gatherings and weddings.

David’s wry sense of humor, penchant for adventure, unwavering kindness, and incredible thoughtfulness defined him—as a gentleman and a gentle man. His innovative creativity, boundless generosity, and deep love for family and friends made him simply unforgettable. (And of course, his incredible head of hair will be missed!) David has left us with countless funny stories—none of which will be forgotten.

To David, everything was scripted and planned out, just like a map. His last trip on the last map on the last road led him to a place of incredible peace—to admire a radiant sunset over deep blue waters and soft white clouds in the heavenly skies above. David was truly one of a kind and will be sorely missed and forever loved.

David was preceded in death by his parents—his father, Harvey Moncelle (“Monty”) Nock (age 63); his mother, Emily Claire Nock (née Leary, age 64); and his older brother, John Everett Nock (age 56). He is survived by his wife, Livia Eva Nock of East Haven, Connecticut; his sister-in-law, Dora Elizabeth Erdos of East Haven, Connecticut; and his brother-in-law, David Eugene Erdos; sister-in-law, Shawnette Erdos; nephew, Corvin Erdos; and niece, Teagan Erdos, all of Parker, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider donating to Habitat for Humanity, an organization David greatly admired and volunteered for. Donations can be made in David’s honor here: https://www.habitat.org/support/honor-memorial-gifts