Fermilab employee, colleague and friend David Cathey passed away on Feb. 25, 2023. David graduated with a Master of Science in occupational safety from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1982. He then joined Fermilab on March 1, 1983.
David Cathey
David began his career at Fermilab in what was known as the Safety Section at the time. It was 40 years ago and well before many of the safety standards that we follow today. He was very much involved in structuring the safety systems and programs that we have in place today. David held many positions over the years, such as ES&H specialist and senior safety officer, and he was well known as a subject matter expert in the many facets of safety. Some would even call him a jack of all trades when it comes to safety.
If you ever had the privilege of meeting David or having a conversation with him, you probably walked away knowing you just made a new friend; David never met a stranger. He had a special way of making people feel seen and heard. His infectious laugh and smile would brighten any room he entered.
He was a kind and generous person. He was always quick to help others. His generous spirit was a blessing to many people throughout his life. He was the kind of man who was willing to give the shirt off his back to others.
He was a dedicated and loving father who was adored by his children. He always was there for them, and they were the center of his world. He was more to his friends than just friends; he was like family. If you were fortunate enough to get to know him well, you had a friend for life who would always be there for you.
He loved to travel with friends and family and loved experiencing new places. When he wasn’t traveling, you could find him always looking for a new restaurant to try. He enjoyed being a food enthusiast. He was everyone’s “go to” person when looking for that perfect spot for fine dining and great food. You could count on his recommendation for where to go for that perfect meal and dining experience.
He will be deeply missed, and he will certainly be remembered for his passion for keeping people safe.
Additional information can be found here.