David Biddle Stokes

David Biddle Stokes passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on July 25th, 2016 surrounded by his family in Jamestown, Rhode Island. Born May 26th 1946 to parents Brigadier General William Standley Stokes Jr. and Sara Lee Biddle Stokes, he was descended from Joseph Wharton, founder of the Wharton Business School, co-founder of Bethlehem Steel and Swarthmore College, as well as Nicholas Biddle, the President of the Second Bank of the United States.David attended the Episcopal Academy and graduated from Lakemont Academy. David served in the United States Army from 1968 until 1971, stationed in Germany where he was a Pershing Missile Guidance Systems Specialist and received the National Defense Service Medal. Upon returning from active duty, David graduated from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1975. He continued his commitment to military service by enlisting in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, serving in the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry, on Active Duty from 1974 until 1986, Non Active from 1986 until 2015, and elected to the Honorary Roll in November of 2015.After graduation from Wharton, David embarked on a yearlong adventure in Africa, purchasing and converting a Land Rover in London and driving from Tangiers, Morocco to Cape Town, South Africa, crossing the Sahara Dessert and returning to Kenya.In 1980 David married Lisa Bennett, his wife of 35 years, and together they had three children, Benjamin Biddle, William Chew and Elizabeth Eversley. David worked with his father in Pennsylvania Pulp and Paper before purchasing American Carbide Saw Company in 1981. He was CEO and President of the company, which specializes in the design and manufacturing of carbide tipped saws for 35 years.David was an accomplished sailor, winning many races in Narragansett and Chesapeake Bays, skier and avid shooter, often earning top gun in competitions. He was a proud member of the State and Schuylkill, the Corinthian and Conanicut Yacht Clubs and the Merion Cricket Club.His family and his friends will most remember his love of adventure, sense of humor, strength and courage, as well as the pure joy and great pride he took in each of his three children.David is survived by his wife, Lisa, their three children, Ben and his wife Asia, Will and Liza as well as his granddaughter Ava, along with his sister Sarah Lee Stokes and many cousins and nieces and nephews.A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday September 8th at 3:00 PM at St. David's Church in St. David's PA. Donations in honor of David may be made to Prostate Cancer Research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.