In Devoted Memory

David McLarty Gilliam

May 18, 1942 - June 12, 2025

David McLarty Gilliam, a retired National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) scientist, died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease at Arden Courts memory care, Kensington, MD. He had lived in Derwood MD and, more recently, in Chevy Chase MD since moving here to work at NIST in 1973.

Mr. Gilliam was born in Galveston Texas but grew up in Lubbock Texas. He received his bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Rice University in 1964, and his master’s in science degree in mechanical engineering, also from Rice University, in 1966. He received his Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from the University of Michigan in 1974.

His 36 year supervisory and non-supervisory research career at NIST was in the Ionizing Radiation Division of the Physics Laboratory at NIST. He was treasurer and past president of the International Nuclear Target Development Society, a member of the American Physical Society, the American Nuclear Society, the American Society for Testing and Materials, Sigma Xi, and Tau Beta Pi. He was also a life member of the NAACP, working toward racial desegregation of Rice University and the Houston Public Schools, and was the founder and long term chair of the scholarship committee of the NIST Child Care Center. He authored or co-authored more than 70 scientific publications, collaborating with scientists within and outside the United States, many of whom became long term friends. He performed many science demonstrations for students at Montgomery County, MD public schools, with the objective of interesting students in the sciences, particularly physics. He also participated in “Science Saturdays” at NIST, organized for the benefit of children of NIST employees. After his retirement, he continued to serve NIST as a world class expert and NIST representative supporting nuclear energy, standards development, calibrations, and NIST/DHS efforts for national security.

His most treasured activities outside of work involved music, Scottish country dancing, and, after his retirement, scuba diving. He played trombone and sang bass in church choirs and various madrigal and other a cappella groups. He taught Scottish country dancing for decades. David was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Rockville, MD.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret McCurley Gilliam, and two daughters, Elizabeth Gilliam-Hertz and Mary Catherine Norman, to whom he was a devoted father. He is also survived by three granddaughters, Eleanor Hertz, Katherine Hertz, and Sarah Elizabeth Norman.

We invite you to join us in celebrating David's life on this dedicated webpage. Your condolences, stories, videos and pictures will be cherished by the family and provide comfort during this difficult time.

Care entrusted to Thibadeau Mortuary Service, p.a.

124 E. Diamond Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877-5009

(301) 495-4950

www.InterFaithFunerals.com