In Memoriam: Randall Davidson Dr. Randall W.A. Davidson, known to many in the industry as Dr. Doom, died on August 21, at the Denver Hospice in Denver, Colorado. He was 91 and a resident of Littleton, Colorado. Davidson was born in Denver in 1929 to Sylvia (née Brodsky) Bachelor. He was later adopted by his stepfather, George Davidson, and took on the additional middle name of Alexander, as is customary in the Davidson family. He graduated from Price College, a high school of the Christian Brothers, in 1945 and, studying to join the order, earned an A.B. from St. Mary's University in Winona, Minnesota. After leaving the Christian Brothers, he taught in various Native American mission communities; he also taught high school theatre and photography in California, Illinois, and Pennsylvania and directed community theatre productions. He earned an Ed.D. from Nova University in Florida. He became increasingly involved in theatre safety and served for 23 years as national health and safety commissioner for USITT. As a result of this work, he became known as "Dr. Doom," a moniker he adored and one that gave rise to numerous skits, tributes, and T-shirts at USITT conventions. In 1964, he married Catherine Seliga, with whom he had four children. Returning to California in 1978, he worked for the insurance brokerage firm Alexander and Alexander, completing risk assessments for hundreds of clients. After incorporating the firm Risk International, specializing in entertainment safety, he developed and lectured about health and safety programs and risk management protocols for entertainment, educational theatre, and public assembly organizations, including many colleges, universities, theatres, and arenas. According to the website for Risk International, "The purpose of [Davidson's] life's work is, in his words, 'the selling of health, safety, and a safe working environment to the administrators of every school district and school in the world.' This involves every aspect of the analysis of risks faced, an assessment of the approach required to mitigate that risk, and the application of steps and procedures to ensure those risks are removed, or at least minimized, in all theatre settings." Among his publications was Dr. Davidson's Eye on Safety, a three-volume set. In 1996, Davidson married Brigida Fulgencio Tuplano, relocating with her to Littleton in 2005. A dedicated member of the Catholic Church, he served for more than 50 years as a church lector and recorded a multi-CD collection of scripture lessons for lector training. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a devotee of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. In the 1990s, he began wearing a purple shirt, socks, and suspenders every day (except for Pentecost, when he wore red). Davidson is survived by his wife and his children Rebecca Elise Davidson, David Alexander Davidson, Elizabeth Ann Davidson, and Joan Therese Steel and their spouses and children. He is also survived by his beloved stepchildren, Marivic, Mae, and Romeo and their children. Memorial donations may be made to Presentation of Our Lady Church, 665 Irving St., Denver CO 80204 or to the Denver Hospice, 8299 E. Lowry Blvd., Denver, Colorado 80230. 
|
