With deep sadness on behalf of the entire Environments for Aging team, we mourn the loss of David A. Green, a true giant in the senior care community and a friend to so many he collaborated with here on the Environments for Aging Conference, Environments for Aging magazine, Long-term Living magazine, and more. His passion for this industry was evident in everything he said, and to everyone he met.
Addie Abushousheh, an environmental and organizational gerontologist consultant based in Milwaukee and member of Society for the Advancement of Gerontological Environments (SAGE)–an organization David helped found 20 years ago–has written a lovely tribute to her friend. I share it with you, below.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 8, at Wesley United Methodist Church, beginning with a fellowship time from 1:30 p.m. until the time of service at 3 p.m. Wesley United Methodist Church is located at 761 Florida Ave., Oshkosh, Wis.
As both a profound visionary and ultimate pragmatist, David A. Green infused uncompromising energy, passion, and purpose for advancing environments for aging into every day and each interaction. In his pursuit of “perfection” in long-term care, David pioneered the household/neighborhood model in skilled nursing care while CEO at Evergreen Retirement Community in 1987 as well as serving as a founding member of both SAGE Federation in 1994 and Wellspring in 1997 before “retiring” into the role of director of conceptual planning and Development for China Senior Care beginning in 2009. While David’s numerous contributions within the field of aging have been recognized many times over through prestigious honors and awards, he shared that his greatest sense of accomplishment came from his knowledge that his legacy would live on in his wife, Vernita; four children; eight grandchildren; extended relations; and friends and colleagues from every walk of life.
“Integrity” was one of David’s favorite words and defined the way in which he aspired to live his life. David was also resolute in his belief that “reality is the greatest barrier to creativity.” Through his example, those of us who have taken his lessons to heart have learned to treat each introduction as if it were a new opportunity to make an old friend, use our spheres of influence to enable every long-term care resident to live life on their terms, and approach regulatory obstacles as untapped opportunities for re-education.
In this same spirit, David’s family wishes to continue to support those who are advancing innovations in aging and Christian mission-based work by establishing a memorial scholarship in his name. Accordingly, and in lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made online to the David A. Green Memorial Fund at the Wisconsin Conference United Methodist Foundation (www.wumf.org). –Addie Abushousheh
