Celebrating the Life and Legacy of “Chicken” David Nesmith

The tribute below was written by longtime O’Dowd faculty member Annie Prutzman, in honor of her beloved spouse, David “Chicken” Nesmith. A devoted volunteer and cherished presence at O’Dowd for over two decades, Chicken’s legacy lives on in the Living Lab, in the hearts of students, and in the deep roots of a community he helped cultivate.

I’d like to share with you the story of Chicken’s significant contributions to the O’Dowd community. Chicken fell in love with O’Dowd when he fell in love with me, 26 years ago. (Want to know how he got his nickname “Chicken”? Read to the bottom of this post.)

On my first date with Chicken in 1999, I read to him a first-draft description of my vision for what is now called the Living Lab – an educational ecological restoration project to reclaim what was once a quarry dump site. With enthusiasm, he responded, “Count me in!”, thereby becoming the first official and ultimately the most dedicated Living Lab volunteer.

While the Living Lab was officially co-founded by science teachers Tim Newman, Tom Tyler, and myself, Chicken quickly proved himself to be a key member of the founding team.

Known as the “Compost King,” he designed and helped build the Living Lab compost bins, teaching students the science and practice of high-quality compost. This was the power potion that transformed a rocky, barren, eroded hillside into the forested Living Lab garden we have today. Nearly every tree and shrub got its start with rich soil from this compost system, which continues to thrive.

He taught students how to cut the trails still in use today, how to work the land, how to remove debris efficiently, and how to keep up good spirits, a sense of community and productivity, despite many challenges and difficult conditions.

With his own tools, he trained students how to build, including the first greenhouse, three outdoor classrooms, many retaining walls, and two versions of the pond. (Students once expressed their appreciation for him by trying to throw him in!) He focused on empowering young women to gain competency with power tools and heavy hand tools like trenchers and pickaxes.

A professional water policy expert and strategist for environmental and civil rights issues, he was a regular guest speaker in my AP Environmental Science and Applied Ecology classes. He invited students to participate in political issues, including testifying before decision-making bodies on behalf of conservation issues.

A certified Wilderness First Responder and expert whitewater rafting guide, he co-lead (as a volunteer, of course!) countless students on many outdoor adventures, along with Tom Tyler and myself – “Beyond the Classroom” hikes, camping trips, and wilderness immersions.

He provided his expedition gear, taught them camping skills, and tended their scrapes and sore hearts. The students playfully referred to him as “Camp Mom” on these trips.

The annual highlight in 2008-2012 was the 5-day APES Immersion trip in the Santa Cruz redwoods. Creating the base camp involved clearing and rebuilding a defunct Girl Scout camp that was smothered by poison oak. Chicken led the charge in making the site habitable.

He was also an active participant in the design and planning sessions for the Center for Environmental Studies, which was completed in 2014.

Chicken was a tireless supporter of all things O’Dowd, and proudly wore his yellow-and-black tie to awards ceremonies, sporting events, theatrical productions, and the annual faculty Christmas party.

He was a chaperone on O’Dowd’s Ecology Project International trips, including a particularly memorable one to Costa Rica in the spring of 2011 during which he proposed marriage to me (I accepted!!) while on the Pacuare River. He somehow got all the students in on his plan and everyone kept it a secret from me until the big moment!

Chicken suffered a debilitating stroke in 2012 and yet continued to participate in Living Lab workdays and O’Dowd events while in his wheelchair until 2023.

Now, you ask, “How did he get his nickname?” Chicken was born David Nesmith. He was one of the first Conscientious Objectors to the Vietnam War in his region. His alternative service started in the Peace Corps. He was in a group of 50 volunteers, including 14 Davids, so the need for nicknames was urgent. On the first day, the trainers left a truck of live chickens, saying “There’s dinner!” The only person who knew what to do was David Nesmith, who quickly organized the group into preparing those chickens for a meal. Soon Chicken Dave became Chicken, and it stuck, ironically, to a brave man.

Chicken is a hero for me as well as for countless O’Dowd students. Since his passing, my inbox has been swamped with messages from former students. I’ll close this post with the words from one of them, Corey Ordonez ‘02:

“Chicken occupies a portion of my heart and soul that defines me. It’s the part of me that continues to push me to be a better person each and every day… I struggled to tell people who Chicken was to me. I also had to explain what the importance of the Living Lab was and what it meant to me and the thousands of other students who participated in it. I finally realized that Chicken was a family member, Chicken was a friend, and Chicken was a teacher to me and all those who were lucky enough to know him. His impact will be forever felt by the thousands of people he touched. I am not sure what is on the other side of this life, but I take comfort in knowing that Chicken lived an incredible and impactful life. I only hope I can live half of the life he lived in his time with us.”

Thank you, Corey. I close with deep gratitude for our beautiful community - staff, students, parents, and alumni, especially to all of you who have reached out to me to soften my sorrow. His public memorial is tentatively planned for September 14, 2025.

Thank you all, my dear O’Dowd Community,

Annie