DAVID W. AKERS, 1941-2012

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V15 2012 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 15, Number 31, July 22, 2012, Article 13

Regarding Doug Winter's article last week on the death of David Akers, one reader wrote, "Say it isn't so!" Well, I wasn't completely sure. I'd emailed Doug for more information but haven't heard from him. I'd looked online for an obituary and found none. Then Monday's online Coin World was silent on the subject. But I poked around again this week and found an online obituary. Here it is. -Editor

David Warren Akers, a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend passed away quietly at home on July 11th, surrounded by loved ones. David was born in Seattle, Washington on September 26, 1941, to Bryon and Beatrice Akers. He graduated from Franklin High School, received his Bachelors of Science Degree in Mathematics from the University of Notre Dame and Master's Degree from Oregon State University. He served in Viet Nam as a first lieutenant in the Army, then first as a forward observer and later as Battery Commander. He received the Purple Heart and Military Commendation Medal for Military Merit in 1966.

Upon his return from Viet Nam, he finished graduate school and married Sharron in 1969, and went on to teach mathematics at Saint Martin's College in Olympia. In 1972, he went to work for Paramount International Coin Corporation where he worked his way up to President. He traveled all over the world visiting their offices in Europe, meeting with representatives of foreign governments regarding their coin programs, reviewing private collections for auctions, and speaking before various professional groups on the value of coins as an investment.

Coins were his passion since he was eight years old, and he felt so lucky to be able to turn his love of coins and their history into his profession. He started his own rare coin business in 1987, and ran major auctions in Baltimore and New York City. The rarest of rare coins crossed his desk frequently. He became a renowned numismatist, having studied coins for so many years, authored eight books on coins, having received many numismatic awards. Even the United States Treasury Department would call him to authenticate a coin!

His family and friends remember his zest for life, his warm sense of humor, his bright smile, and his infectious laugh. They will also cherish the memories of his sharp analytical mind, his phenomenal memory and extensive reading, which enabled him to recall information on most any subject. But most of all, he will be remembered for his honesty, integrity, and being just a nice guy.

David is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sharron, and his daughter, Heather Anne. Also his sister, Joan Booms, his nephew, Douglas Booms, and his wife Catherine, brother in law, Mark Osterhout all of Seattle, Washington and his faithful dog, Buster. A memorial service to celebrate the memory of his life will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 1500 South Kanner Highway, Stuart, FL, 34995 on Wednesday, July 25th at 3:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be made in his name to the Hibiscus Children's Foundation, 2400 NE Dixie Highway, Jensen Beach, FL 34957. All Condolences at www. aycockfuneralhome.net. All arrangements are entrusted to Aycock Funeral Home, Stuart, FL.

To read the complete obituary, see: David Warren Akers (www.legacy.com/obituaries/tcpalm/obituary.aspx?n=
david-warren-akers&pid=158635397&fhid=10593)

I was sorry to read of the death of David Akers in the latest E-Sylum. He was President of Paramount when I worked for the London office of the company in the mid 70s and I remember his occasional visits to the UK at that time, when he would roll his sleeves up and get involved with whatever project was on the go, whether it was mailing out Trinidad & Tobago proof sets with our mail man Mike, previewing US coins in London auctions with me, going to the printers and overseeing whatever catalogue or mail shot that was in the press – David was interested in it all.

I last had contact with him at the time of the Pittman sales when he was, as ever, very forthcoming with information that he chose not to put in the printed catalogues. He will be a sad loss, but his works on US gold remain a fine testament to one of the 'old school' of professional numismatists.

For those who want Doug Winter's articles sooner, he posts them on raregoldcoins.com usually a few days before they are reposted on other coin news sites. He has also an RSS signup (under the Articles tab) for direct notification when they're made available.