Remembering David Darling from the Class of ‘66

A very special thank you to Ruth Swan, Karen Takanaka, David Balfour, and the many Class of '66 Alumni who helped put this memorial article together.
David Darling was exactly as his surname implied, a darling. In his short time at NJC, he was described as a kind and endearing fellow. He smiled often and was friendly. Sadly, In September of 1965, a car accident claimed his life and the life of Mr. Leonard Wilde as they travelled to Grindelwald for a school trip. Hearing about the accident, a few members of the class rushed to the hospital, where David was pronounced dead.
 
David was buried in a cemetery near Interlaken as his body could not be moved from Switzerland due to local legislation.  As is Swiss custom, names are scrubbed from graves after a few years making it difficult to find David’s specific resting place.
 
Shaken and bewildered, the Class of 1966 did their best to pick up the pieces and make the most out of their remaining time at Neuchâtel; both for their sakes and the sake of their deceased classmate.
 
Many years later, the Class of ’66 began to reconnect thanks to the efforts of Janis Randall Simpson.  Over dinner parties they recounted stories from their time at NJC and remembered their classmate, David.
 
Hearing stories told by her classmates after so many years, Ruth Swan was inspired to collect these memories.  Through her co-coordinative efforts, their stories were systematically gathered and printed as a book of memoirs – for the Class of ’66, a lasting memento of their NJC experience.
 
The class also decided to honour David’s memory by raising funds to build a trophy case to hang at NJC in David’s honour.  Ruth Swan and Pam Deacon were inspired to gift a condolence quilt to David's family.  It was adorned with Canadian maple leaves and Swiss flags.  Pam Deacon, who lives close to the family, liaised with a heritage quilter in the Gatineau area, and later delivered it to the Darling family.  
 
David's memory is maintained by his classmates through the memoir and the beautiful trophy case in the Foyer Hall.  It also holds a September 1965 photo of the students and teachers at Oriel College, Oxford, with Mr. Wilde and David included.
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Neuchâtel Junior College offers the unique opportunity to study Canadian curriculum abroad. While living in Switzerland in a French community, students enjoy an international education through travel and experiential learning in Europe. Gap year and Grade 12  high school students gain international experience and develop independence and life skills that prepare them for university and the global workplace.

A Canadian high school in Switzerland | Grade 12 & Gap