In Memoriam: David Sohmer Svahn
Honoring my late grandfather.
This morning, my Pops passed away in his sleep.
My grandfather was a brilliant autodidact, a talented physician, and a sharp-witted, hilarious interlocutor. He was also the most knowledgeable and well-read man I have ever met. More important than these estimable qualities, though, was my granddad’s fundamental goodness.
There are innumerable examples of Pops’ virtue; I will present but one:
When performing research at Lund University in Sweden, my Pops met my Mormor: a research tech at the lab where he worked. While courting my grandmother, Pops learned that my Mormor’s mother was a widow. His response? Pops took Mormor’s mom out to dinner—an event she had not been treated to since my great grandfather’s passing six years prior.
Pops was truly a gentleman and a scholar.
His positive influence on all those around him is indelible and evidenced by the deluge of phone calls, messages, and visits to my Mormor on the day of his passing. Pops was, is, and will forever be my chief exemplar of a superlative husband, father, grandfather, and man.
As I transition out of college and into full adulthood, I resolve to be more like Pops. May he rest in peace.