Our final Life of Purpose Award was given posthumously to Dr. David Seldin '74. David was nominated by his sister, Judi, who was able to join us, along with David's wife, family, and friends.
David was a Harvard-trained physician-scientist and internationally recognized expert in amyloidosis, David made life-saving contributions to a rare disease field through research, patient care, and mentorship. Beyond his scientific accomplishments, he is remembered as an extraordinary teacher and humane clinician whose influence extended through generations of colleagues and patients. His nomination speaks to profound professional impact coupled with personal generosity.
"I am Judi Seldin, David’s only sibling. I am deeply appreciative and proud that Harley School has honored my brother with this Life of Purpose Award. Thank you to Karen Saludo and the entire committee. I wish you all had had the opportunity to know my brother. I am speaking on behalf of my sister-in-law, Dr. Libby Hohmann, their three daughters, and our entire family.
David died over ten years ago when he was just 58 years old, leaving a profound void in the lives of our family and so many others. He is missed every single day. My parents, now deceased, would have been deeply grateful to Harley School for honoring David today.
Though I am proudly David’s sister, there was a period in junior high school in Penfield when I didn’t actually have a name — which is not a great feeling for a pre-teen. I was simply known as “you must be David’s sister.” The good news was that David won a scholarship to Harley School, and I went on to Penfield High School, where I could finally establish my own identity. You may be wondering whether David and I got along as kids. The way I remember it, we did — perhaps because we were not very much alike and never really competed. David got 800s on his SATs. I did not. David loved physics. I did not. David had very long hair (it was the ‘70s). I did not. I was an athlete who spent hours shooting hoops in the driveway. David was inside reading books.
Despite these differences, David and I shared the same values instilled in us by our parents: work hard; value education and family above all else; be humble and honest; have opinions — but only if they are left of center; and, most importantly, be kind and generous to others, particularly those less privileged than ourselves. Grounded in these shared valued, David and I never strayed far from one another.
I moved to Boston after college and lived around the corner from David. For thirty years, we never lived more than about five miles apart.
David was an incredible man — son, brother, husband, father, uncle, physician, researcher, mentor, and friend. He was also an oenophile, a record album collector, a biker, hiker, skier, traveler, stereo builder, lifelong vegetarian, scuba diver, yoga practitioner, news junkie, Sunday crossword devotee, Red Sox fan, and music lover — specifically classical and rock & roll.
After Harley, David received his BA from Harvard College and his combined MD and PhD degrees from the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology program. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. David was a distinguished professor, brilliant investigator, and deeply caring physician. He served as Professor of Medicine and Microbiology and Director of the Amyloidosis Center at Boston University School of Medicine, and as Chief of the Section of Hematology/Oncology at Boston Medical Center.
David was a world-renowned expert on amyloidosis — and if you’re wondering what amyloidosis is, it is a rare disease caused by abnormal protein buildup in the blood and other tissues, linked to many progressive illnesses including cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. David took special pleasure in working with students and young investigators. He had an extraordinary ability to critique their work respectfully while encouraging them to strive for excellence. He took great joy in training and mentoring a generation of physicians and postdoctoral and pre-doctoral fellows in clinical, laboratory, and translational research. Among his many honors, David was appointed the Wesley and Charlotte Skinner Professor for Amyloidosis Research. He served on NIH study sections and grant and review panels for Canada, Greece, the United Kingdom, and Singapore, and was a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Amyloidosis Foundation and the Board of the International Society of Amyloidosis.
David’s life was too short, but his impact was significant and enduring. Colleagues, students, and patients from around the world paid tribute to his brilliance, kindness, and generosity. In response to news of his death, one physician wrote:
“I enjoyed David’s optimism and enthusiasm for good science and medicine — he was a breath of fresh air. His shoes will be very hard to fill.” Another remarked, “We will miss David. He made us all better people.” And another: “There are no words to say how I feel. David will be remembered with love and profound respect.” Patients from across the United States and around the world wrote of David’s brilliance and compassion in caring for them, and of their deep gratitude for the hope he gave to them and their families.
When I read that Harley had established a “Life of Purpose” award, I knew immediately that I should nominate David. To me, purpose means living your life in service to others and to a greater good. David’s clinical skills were lifesaving. His research — and the ongoing work of his colleagues — continues to save lives long after his death. His mentoring inspired others to persist in their fields and become physicians and researchers in their own right. I believe those students became better, more compassionate doctors because of my brother.
Of course, to David’s three daughters and my two children, David was the slightly goofy, playful, compassionate dad and uncle who worked a lot and always had records playing on the stereo he built himself. I know his daughters and his wife miss him as a trusted advisor and confidante. As do I.
David’s colleague said it best: “David Seldin: where brilliance met kindness.”
Thank you again for honoring David."
