David James McCloskey

Dave McCloskey, 89, passed away on February 19, 2026, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was born on May 21, 1936, in Stockton, California to Downs and Helen McCloskey. His older brother, Downs, was born in 1930. Dave spent much of his childhood in Pasadena after his father was transferred to the Los Angeles office of Amerada Petroleum Company. He attended San Rafael Elementary School, McKinley Junior High School, and South Pasadena High School.

During his youth, Dave built his own soap box and raced in a soap box derby; played pick up soccer and football; conducted science experiments; built radios and telescopes. Dave participated in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. A highlight of his childhood was traveling to Valley Forge for the 1950 international Boy Scout Jamboree alongside 47,000 fellow scouts.

Dave attended Stanford University where he earned a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering and an M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering and received a commission as a Navy ensign. After graduation, Dave taught for three years at the Naval Nuclear Power School in New London, Connecticut. He then returned to school at the California Institute of Technology in the Department of Engineering Science and worked during the summers at the Rand Corporation in the Physics Department. He received a Ph.D. in Engineering Science and Applied Mathematics from Caltech in 1966.

For three decades Dave worked at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque and held multiple leadership roles as a supervisor, manager, and as director, including Director of Nuclear Energy Technology and Director of Engineering Sciences. His work contributed to nuclear safety research, reactor testing, and national defense. Outside of work, Dave embraced adventure and the outdoors, enjoying skiing, backpacking, biking, and motorcycling, including an epic trip to the tip of Baja California. 

In 1975 he married Joanne McCloskey and had two children, Eric, 48, and Laurel, 44. Dave stated that his greatest joy in life was seeing Eric, Laurel, and his brother Downs' children, Helen, Tom, and Robin and grandchildren, Lauren, Kevin, Brittany, Devin, Matthew, Melanie, and Christopher grow up to be fine people.

Every summer Dave and his family spent wonderful times at Electra Lake north of Durango, Colorado in the family cabin, which is more than 100 years old. While visiting his mother, "Grammy," in Pasadena, trips included ones to Laguna Beach, Sea World, the giant redwoods, and Santa Catalina. A beloved part of family life revolved around the Coronado Club at Sandia Labs in Albuquerque and its summer swim team, where he spent summers cheering at swim meets. Dave actively participated in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts when Eric was a member.

After retirement David traveled throughout the U.S. and internationally, embracing life with enthusiasm. He loved skiing, biking the mountains of New Mexico, and traveling the world with extensive trips to Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. He believed deeply in lifelong learning, returning in retirement to study history, finance, and Western civilization simply for the love of knowledge. Davd was immensely active in the St. Johns Methodist Church and volunteered with the United Methodist Volunteers mission group to Cochabamba, Bolivia. Dave enjoyed a second home in San Carlos, Mexico for 15 years, where he developed a community with many visitors and local friends.

We remember Dave for his joyful approach to life, his interest in and knowledge of many topics, his humor, and his devotion to family and many friends. We miss his positive and caring nature and his enthusiasm for daily activities, holidays, and get togethers. His life lived with purpose, humor, and resilience continues to be an inspiration for all.

A celebration of life for Dave McCloskey will take place on May 30, 2026, 12:00 p.m., at Greenmount Cemetery in Durango, CO.