Dave & Helen's Biography
Dave and Helen Damouth both grew up in Flint, Michigan, and were married during their college years. Both graduated in 1963 from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Helen with a B.S. and M. S. in Physics, and Dave with B.S.E. degrees in Engineering Math and Physics, and a Ph.D. in High Energy Nuclear Physics.
Helen worked at Eastman Kodak in Rochester, New York for 23 years, taking a few years off while the children were young, and also attending the University of Rochester, receiving an M.B.A. degree majoring in finance. Her experience at Kodak included scientific computer programming, supervision of a manufacturing team, financial analysis, and production planning. She retired from Kodak in May, 1996. When not working she sang with Madrigalia, Rochester Oratorio Society, and the Rochester Bach Festival, and performed on stage in several Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas with Unitarian Drama. She also turned her 1.5-acre yard into a showpiece of garden landscaping.
Dave worked at Xerox Corporation for 31 years, all in Rochester except for three years in California, retiring in November, 1994, but continuing a consulting relationship with Xerox until December 1996. He started as a research scientist, developing new product concepts in computer-based office and communications products. Later, he split his time between individual research and management of a Research Laboratory. Dave enjoys singing and sang with Madrigalia, Rochester Oratorio Society, and the Rochester Bach Festival for many years, serving on the Board of Directors of all three groups. He also sang in the chorus and in lead roles in many Gilbert and Sullivan productions with Unitarian Drama.
From 1971 through 1974, Dave and Helen lived in Menlo Park, California, while Dave worked at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center. During this period, Helen was an activist volunteer, serving as a lobbyist and as Assistant State Coordinator for the National Organization for Women.
Both Dave and Helen enjoy exploring wilderness areas, and have traveled via canoe through the Boundary Waters in Minnesota, several wilderness areas of Ontario and Quebec, the Everglades, Newfoundland, and the Adirondacks. They also enjoy sailing, having owned and raced high performance sailing dinghies for many years (International 14, Flying Dutchman, Laser). They have enjoyed occasional Caribbean vacations on chartered cruising sailboats.
Dave and Helen have two children: Dan is a Computer Scientist, specializing in Artificial Intelligence applications, currently residing in San Diego, CA. Leata is a Chemical Engineer, residing in Newark, DE.
On June 19, 1997, the Damouths sold their Rochester home, moved into a 35' travel trailer, and embarked on an open-ended exploration of North America.
In October, 2001, they ended their full-time wandering and purchased a home in Golden, Colorado.
Photo Credit: Wayne Darnaby, 1998