Al Davis was chief economist at the Ways and Means Committee (democratic staff) of the US House of Representatives from 1999 until 2003. His specialty was tax policy. Earlier, he was a chief economist for the House Budget Committee from 1984 to 1999. Highly regarded among professional tax economists, he contributed many analyses to the National Tax Journal and Tax Notes and other publications. An avid sailor, a typical vacation could find Al sailing, with his life partner Mary Bielefeld, in the sun and breezes among the Caribbean islands.
Al was greatly liked and admired among friends and colleagues for his delightful sense of humor, his wit (particularly about nutty economics), and his ability to explain and write about economics and economics data clearly.
He graduated from Swarthmore with honors in economics, followed by a masters degree from the University of Wisconsin.
Al was struck by a car while walking home and died of brain injury.
Al and I drove to Florida together our junior year. His father was at McCoy in Orlando in the Air Force. It was a great trip down the coast. I am distressed to hear of his passing....he was always ready to crew for the Swarthmore Sailing Team and I shall miss his good humor and intelligence.
Several of us went on a day trip skiing in the Poconos during our sophomore year. I can't remember anyone else who was there besides Al. His kind and intelligent friendliness has stayed with me.
Nancy Bennett
This was sent in by Lynn Etheridge:
Al Davis was chief economist at the Ways and Means Committee (democratic staff) of the US House of Representatives from 1999 until 2003. His specialty was tax policy. Earlier, he was a chief economist for the House Budget Committee from 1984 to 1999. Highly regarded among professional tax economists, he contributed many analyses to the National Tax Journal and Tax Notes and other publications. An avid sailor, a typical vacation could find Al sailing, with his life partner Mary Bielefeld, in the sun and breezes among the Caribbean islands.
Al was greatly liked and admired among friends and colleagues for his delightful sense of humor, his wit (particularly about nutty economics), and his ability to explain and write about economics and economics data clearly.
He graduated from Swarthmore with honors in economics, followed by a masters degree from the University of Wisconsin.
Al was struck by a car while walking home and died of brain injury.
Richard L. Gregor
Al and I drove to Florida together our junior year. His father was at McCoy in Orlando in the Air Force. It was a great trip down the coast. I am distressed to hear of his passing....he was always ready to crew for the Swarthmore Sailing Team and I shall miss his good humor and intelligence.
Stephen C. Morse
Several of us went on a day trip skiing in the Poconos during our sophomore year. I can't remember anyone else who was there besides Al. His kind and intelligent friendliness has stayed with me.