Lifelong language lover inspired students at The Kiski School

Over the course of his linguistic career, David Lane learned nearly one language for each decade of his 79 years of life.

Mr. Lane translated his love for language to his students at The Kiski School, where he taught for more than 40 years.

He died Monday at Presbyterian Senior Care Center after a short illness caused by complications from bladder cancer.

As a faculty member at the boarding school for boys in Saltsburg, Indiana County, Mr. Lane taught German and Advanced Placement psychology in addition to coaching the school’s track, soccer and diving teams. He lived on campus for many years, where he served as a house master.

“He truly was a lifelong learner,” said Mary-Frances Doiron, Mr. Lane’s cousin and only remaining relative. “There was always this excitement he got from learning something new, and he committed himself to learning as much as he could.”

Mr. Lane grew up in North Andover, Mass., and attended University of Massachusetts at Amherst. According to Ms. Doiran, he intended to study chemistry but soon discovered his love for language.

Upon learning he had a knack for German, his professors encouraged him to drop his chemistry major and study German instead. Mr. Lane went on to earn a master’s degree in education at the University of Rhode Island and a doctorate in modern languages from Middlebury College in Vermont.

Throughout his life, Mr. Lane also studied Gaelic, French, Russian, Latin, Dutch and Japanese. German, however, remained his favorite. According to Ms. Doiron, he was so proficient in the language that he was often mistaken as a native German when he visited the country.

Mr. Lane never married or had children. Instead, he dedicated his life to teaching and travel. During his time at Kiski, he frequently took students on trips across the country and around the world.

“Kiski became his adopted family,” said John Lombardo, a Spanish teacher at the school who worked with Mr. Lane for 41 years.

Mr. Lane retired from his full-time position at Kiski in 2004 but continued to teach AP psychology, which, according to a letter by headmaster Christopher Brueningsen, 20 boys were registered to take in the fall. Despite a number of health issues, Mr. Lane continued to work and travel.

“In true Dave fashion, he wasn't going to go quietly,” Mr. Lombardo said. “He was like a watch. No matter what happened, he just kept on ticking. That’s one of the things that made him a special guy. That impact he had on his students and colleagues will be long-lasting. That’s not going away.”

Services for Mr. Lane were held Friday at Our Lady of Joy in Plum. Funeral arrangements were handled by Maurice L. Knee Funeral Home.

The family suggests memorial donations be made to Kiski School Office of Advancement.