Dave McCloskey

May 21, 1936 - February 19, 2026

Dave passed away in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Born in Stockton, California to Downs and Helen McCloskey. Dave spent much of his childhood in Pasadena. 

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 BS degree in Chemical Engineering and an MS 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 PhD 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 and Laurel. Dave stated that his greatest joy in life was seeing his children and his brother Downs' children 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. While visiting his mother, 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.

After retirement David traveled throughout the US 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. David was immensely active in the St Johns Methodist Church and volunteered with the United Methodist Volunteers mission group to Cochabamba, Bolivia. 

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.

French Funerals, 2026