Obituary of David Pease Carew

Dr. David Pease Carew, Professor Emeritus of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry in the University of Iowa’s College of Pharmacy, passed away on April 26, 2021 at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Dave was born on October 21, 1928 in Monson, MA to Ralph and Sara Carew. His father died from polio when Dave was only 3 years old, leaving his family, which included six sisters and a brother, to survive the Depression with their mother. Dave attended high school in Monson, MA, where he was an outstanding student, athlete, and class president. After high school, he served two years in the U.S. Army during the occupation of Japan. On September 3, 1951, Dave married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Makepeace. Dave and Shirley first lived in Boston while Dave pursued his undergraduate and master’s degrees in pharmacy at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, and then in Connecticut where he earned his doctorate from the University of Connecticut. In 1957, Dave, Shirley and their three young children moved to Iowa City where he joined the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy faculty as an Assistant Professor of Pharmacognosy. At Iowa, Dr. Carew conducted research in medicinal plant tissue culture. Part of his research included learning how medicinally active chemical compounds are formed in plants and producing medicinal compounds using plant cell cultures. In addition to his research and teaching at Iowa, Dr. Carew was the College of Pharmacy’s Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Affairs, Acting Dean, and Director of Alumni Relations. In addition to a multitude of professional articles, he published or co-published over 35 research studies. During his tenure at the University of Iowa, Dr. Carew served on numerous college, university, and national committees, including Honorary President of the Iowa Pharmacists Association and President of the American Society of Pharmacognosy. Dr. Carew lectured worldwide on plant tissue culture and was named a fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Pharmaceutical Research and Science, and the Academy of Pharmaceutical Scientists. Teaching and leading his undergraduate and graduate students were his true passions. As a result of his work, Dr. Carew received the University of Iowa’s Marion L. Huit Award for “dedication to, concern for, and interaction with students” as well as the Michael J. Brody Award for “exceptional contributions to the UI and the community.” In retirement, Dave and Shirley continued their many travels throughout the world. He always enjoyed her gourmet cooking, being her assistant gardener, and wearing one of the many sweaters she knit for him during their 62 years of marriage. Dave’s integrity, kindness, and dry wit were hallmarks of his personality. His eyes twinkled when he knew he had said something cleverly funny. He was always interested and concerned about others, and about how “you” were doing. Dave was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and sisters: Mary Emerson, Jessie Gates, Helen Morris, Sara Jean Ouellette, and Rachel Watrous. He is survived by his daughter Susan (Jud) Te Paske of Cordova, TN; sons Bruce (Peggy) Carew of North Venice, FL and Steven (Diane) Carew of Grimes, IA; grandchildren Neal Te Paske, Loveland, CO; David Carew, Appleton, WI; Sarah Carew (Ben Luther), Onalaska, WI; Russell (Heather) Carew, Ankeny, IA; Brian Carew, Ankeny, IA; and great-grandchildren Melody, Kamryn, and Bailey Carew; brother Ralph (Millie) Carew, Lansdale, PA; and sister Florence Fenton, Monson, MA. The family extends its deep appreciation to the hard working, caring and imaginative staff of Oaknoll Retirement Residence for the care of their father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother. Because of Covid concerns, no public services will be held. Memorial contributions may be made to the Food Bank at CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank, 1121 Gilbert Court, Iowa City, Iowa 52240, https://builtbycommunity.org/foodbank/. Online condolences may be sent to his family at www.gayandciha.com.