Roll Call Tribute

George Sidney Davidson
March 22, 1952 ~ November 20, 2022

George Sidney Davidson, modern day renaissance man, passed away on Sunday, November 20, 2022, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was born in Clovis, NM, on Saturday, March 22, 1952.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Maureen Davidson; his sister, Sharron Davidson; his daughters, Ashley Davidson Hamlett and her husband John Hamlett; his daughter, Meredith Schweitzer and her husband Jeffrey Schweitzer; and four grandchildren, Madison Hamlett, Andrew Hamlett, Vincent Schweitzer and Zoe Schweitzer.

George grew up in Hope, NM, and moved to Carlsbad, NM, in junior high. He later lived on a family ranch outside of Carlsbad run by his father, Jim Davidson, who predeceased him in 1993, and his mother, Jeanne Ellis Davidson who passed in 2012. As a young man his summers were spent on the historic Bell ranch in eastern New Mexico, run at the time by his maternal grandfather, George Ellis. George's deep love of knowledge and curious mind knew no limits. In addition to a life-long interest in ranching, he studied everything from philosophy to engineering, spending endless hours exploring the frontiers of science, asking key questions and challenging long-held assumptions. He also enjoyed reading and writing poetry, learning new languages, and delving into global history.

He honed his keen intellect at Santa Fe's St. John's University, then in Houston at Rice University where he received his bachelor's degree in Mathematical Science, and Texas A&M University where he received his master's degree in Statistics. He returned to school in his fifties, earning a PhD in Biology from the University of New Mexico.

He retired from a 35 year career at Sandia National Laboratories as a Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff. During his tenure at the Labs, he was awarded eight patents, collaborated on and published dozens of cutting-edge scientific studies, worked tirelessly to protect America through anti-terrorism efforts, and received the R and D 500, along with Novint Technologies, for the force-feedback Novint Falcon. His research and publications covered a wide range of topics including computer modeling of complex systems. This work contributed to decoding the human genome, enabling better hearing aids and other medical devices, and even discovering possible sounds made by dinosaurs.

As a young man, George was a high school quarterback and an avid soccer player. Later he stayed fit with walking and belly dancing. He was a member of the Albuquerque chapter of the Hash House Harriers, "a drinking club with a serious running problem." Those who knew him well remember his broad smile, his quick, dry wit, his tenacious drive to work hard, his tough independence, his commanding wisdom, and above all, his deep commitment to family and friends. He will be long remembered and deeply missed. His was a life well lived.

Services will be held Friday, December 9, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at FRENCH - Lomas. A short graveside ceremony and a reception will immediately follow the service at the Davidson home.