David Edward Guinnup, 66, of Durham NC, passed on July 3, 2019 with family and close friends by his side. David courageously faced a glioblastoma multiforme brain tumor beginning in December 2017. He was born on February 10, 1953 in Indianapolis to Daniel W. and Lois Edwards Guinnup.

David had a Quaker upbringing, which was reflected in his deep commitment to simplicity, peace, integrity, community, and equality. Those same values led him to earn the rank of Eagle Scout in high school and become a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War.

David spent his childhood in Indianapolis, Indiana where he discovered his love of golf at an early age from his father and maternal grandfather, Carleton. He attended Indianapolis North Central High School, where he played varsity golf, beating Billy Kratzert, future PGA golfer and announcer, in the first round of the Indiana Boys State Junior Championship during the summer of 1969. David also qualified for the USGA Amateur Public Links Championship in 1973, as one of three players representing his home state.

David began piano lessons at age five, fell in love with music, and continued to play with great joy throughout his life. He employed his musical talents and piano skills in a variety of venues and events, including U-Sing at Purdue University, the “Glee Club,” the Parkwood Christmas Parade, the Aquarians Birthday Party, the annual Holiday party, a variety of EPA OAQPS parties and gatherings, and innumerable sing-alongs around his or any available piano.

Before earning a BS in Chemistry in 1975 from Purdue University, David joined the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, where he developed many life-long friendships. With some of his Sig Ep brothers, he co-founded the “Little Kings Open,” a whimsical annual golf “tournament” that is little more than an excuse for a reunion -- although the winner does (by popular vote) receive a crown and scepter for the year. The LKO fosters mediocre golf, cold Little Kings beers, and much brotherly love. The brothers have continued to gather for over 40 years all over the country, and David played a key part of each reunion.

Born curious and naturally-gifted in academics (and most other things), David continued his education by earning an MS in Chemistry at Purdue in 1976 and a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1981.

David was married in 1980 to Jean Bondie and they moved with her daughter, Susan, to Raleigh, where David began his career at NC State University as a professor of Chemical Engineering. Their son, Christopher, was born in 1981. David had a talent for explaining complex information that made it easier to understand. Although his formal teaching career was brief, he was a natural teacher throughout his life. David settled into his career with the Environmental Protection Agency in 1987. Most of his time with the EPA was as a group leader within the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS). There, his teams of scientists, engineers, and statisticians focused on preserving and improving air quality in the United States through the Clean Air Act’s regulatory framework. He retired from the Agency in 2012.

David was a fun-loving and light-hearted man. Be it with his fraternity brothers at the annual Little Kings Open events or with friends gathering around his home and pool, David surrounded himself with friends and loved ones. He had a laugh that was contagious and a gift for making anyone in his presence feel special. He had a unique and brilliantly keen wit and was ever the optimist.

David enjoyed opening his home as a safe and welcoming place where friends could gather and celebrate as queer community. Certainly comfortable in his own skin, he offered love and support to many struggling with self-doubt, loneliness, and other demons large and small. Simply being with David and the amazing community he fostered made life better for many people during the two decades the tradition thrived.

Earlier in 2019, David was named a saint by the local order of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence -- a charity, protest, and street performance organization that uses drag and religious imagery to call attention to sexual intolerance and satirizes issues of gender and morality. The Sisters are an international network of orders that raise money for LGBT-related causes and mainstream community service organizations. The Sisters confer sainthood upon people who have served the greater LGBT community in significant ways. To honor David’s contributions to the community, The Sisters named him “Saint David of the Body-Positive Waters.”

Providing care for a cancer patient takes a village, and many people within David’s life were called to help on his journey. A core group of friends -- Team David -- helped him through his many months of treatment. Many other people in his life shared food, cards, photos and visits during this time. The caregivers at the Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, and Duke Homecare & Hospice provided outstanding and conscientious care. His hospice nurse Melissa provided loving care and much laughter. David was gracious and grateful for all the help, care, and love he received.

David was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents and is survived by his son, Christopher Guinnup (wife Patricia) of Saline MI; Chris’ mother, Jean Bondie, also of Saline; his step-daughter, Susan Tyson of Wilmington, NC; his sister, Joyce Guinnup (partner, Jo Watson) of Indianapolis; his lover and long-time companion, Bradford Taylor of Cary NC; and his beloved cat, “Boots,” who wandered up to his new home with David on Thanksgiving Day 2014.

Donations in David’s name can be made to The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence (https://www.thesisters.org/donate) or Angels Among Us (https://tischbraintumorcenter.duke.edu/donate), a national charity that supports brain tumor research at the Center where David received treatment.

A private memorial service will be held, and in August, at his home, a celebration of David’s life and spirit will include those who knew David and whose lives were enriched by his love.