David George Plank

David George Plank, 89, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 12, 2026. He was a unique and remarkable man—sharp, sensitive, and insatiably curious.

David lived as an eternal student, fascinated by chemistry, alchemy, and the origins of humankind, from early Christianity to the esoteric teachings of Gurdjieff. As a young man, he joined the military, serving in France with the Army Chemical Corps. That experience changed his life's course, leading him to study French. He became a Hayes-Fulbright fellow from 1965 to 1966 and wrote his doctoral dissertation, "Mirabeau's Literary Apprenticeship."

David had a quiet connection to the land and loved exploring the earth, whether through spelunking or building a homestead in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. He was a passionate defender of the environment and the underdog, which meant he was no stranger to disappointment. He knew many dark times, most notably the tragic loss of his eighteen-year-old daughter, Rebecca. Yet David always persisted. He leaned on humor, and his love of music and film, to navigate the shadows. He used his wit to impart his wisdom to those around him, and truly excelled as a teacher in homeschooling his youngest daughter, Clarissa. David had a poetic way of looking at existence, describing himself as a "woke particle in a quantum universe."

David was widowed by his beloved wife, Anna D'Andrea. He is survived by his sister, Dorette; his brother, Christopher "Kit"; and his four daughters, Eva, Cybele, Tania, and Clarissa. To honor his wishes, his ashes will be laid to rest alongside Anna at Greensprings Natural Cemetery Preserve, returning him to the earth he so cherished.