“I’m pretty sure I can do that” … and he did, time and again.
David Frederick Leland, Sr. was born in Burlington, Vermont on August 18, 1925, raised in Amherst, Massachusetts and following a long and successful career returned to Vermont where he lived for more than thirty years before his passing on December 8th at the age of 98. Dave Leland was a man of incredible inner strength, self-knowing, dependability, sound judgement, and common sense who fully embraced life with his unfailing optimism, sense of humor, and ability to bring out the best in others. He was a natural leader who believed in himself even when others had doubts.
Dave Leland was the son of Harley Leland from West Glover, VT — a UVM graduate, early leader in Vermont 4-H and Director of 4-H and Extension Services for Western Massachusetts. Dave’s mother, Hazel Gates Leland, native of Newport, VT was a teacher in Burlington at the Adams School before the family’s move to Massachusetts, and before keeping David and his younger brother Dick in line became a full time job.
Between his many antics, Dave achieved Eagle Scout with three Palms, and could have wall- papered a room with the number of ribbons won from national, state, and county 4-H competitions — including the Eastern States Exposition. Poultry raising and judging were his specialties. He earned spending money by selling eggs from his hens, to include sales to street neighbor Robert Frost. Twice he traveled to National competitions as a selected representative of Massachusetts and in 1940 at the Atlantic City convention achieved the highest judging score of all participants. “I’m pretty sure I can do that.”
As an average student, he was told by his high school principal to not bother taking an officer candidate qualification exam. Dave insisted he had every right to take the exam, and did. He was one of only two students to pass, which led to three years of education split between Middlebury College and Dartmouth College, followed by a commission as a Naval officer and degree from the University of Massachusetts. “I believe I can do that.”
After holding the door for an attractive Irish lass leaving the University of Massachusetts library, she turned and said, “Thanks Dave”. He didn’t know who she was. He found out. She became his bedrock, keystone, and most precious gem from that day forward and for more than 72 years of marriage. Alice McNally Leland passed away on 11/16/20.
Dave spent almost 35 years working his way through the ranks of Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, which later became CIGNA. Early in his career he was tasked with turning around a failing office in Pittsburgh. In eighteen months he transformed the worst performing office in the country to the best, and was quickly promoted back to corporate headquarters. “I can do that.”
After announcing his retirement, he was given his multi-decade personnel record to review for the first time. It contained a letter from someone who conducted one of Dave’s initial hiring interviews in the mid-1950s. It said, “He (Dave) may be able to sell dairy equipment to Vermont farmers, but he’ll never do much more.” Dave Leland retired as Senior Vice President of Sales for one the country’s largest healthcare companies. “I can do that too.”
Returning to Vermont with Alice in 1990, Dave settled into his lifelong therapy of gardening, puttering around on his John Deere, traveling, and golfing. To remain connected to past associates, he co-founded a corporate reunion group known as GREAT Circle, which continues gathering every eighteen months in different resort settings, as it has for over thirty years. One of his longest and most valued associations was with the Shelburne United Methodist Church where he volunteered his time, talent, resources and fellowship, to include several leadership positions.
Dave Leland was a friend, mentor, confidant, and counselor to many, always elevating their best, and often changing life trajectories for the better. He was a common man with uncommon insight, compassion, and wisdom. When asked, “What was the biggest mistake you made in your life?” he responded, without hint of conceit or arrogance, “I haven’t made any … though if I could have done a few things over, I might have done them differently.” He lived by the words, “do your best, then move on.”
Dave Leland was predeceased by his wife Alice, his brother Dick and his daughter-in-law Rose. He is survived by his three sons David Jr. (Ann) of Sonoma, CA, Douglas (Sally) of Freeport, ME, and James (Rose-deceased 2023) of Richmond, VT, along with four grandchildren and one great-grandson. He will be buried in Shelburne next to Alice. He requested no donations.
Dave was also frugal, having come of age during the Great Depression and WWII. Knowing that obituaries cost more than a $1.00/per word was a source of annoyance. No doubt the length of this obituary and particularly these last 48 words would have driven him nuts! Sorry Dad.
Dave Leland was not just a “good” man … he was a great man and our world is a lesser place today for his absence.
A Memorial Service will take place on January 19th, 2023 11 AM at Shelburne United Methodist Church. Burial will take place in the spring.
Arrangements are under the care of Corbin & Palmer Funeral Home.
Posted online on December 16, 2023
Published in Burlington Free Press
