CHARLOTTESVILLE, July 28 – David K. Wiecking, 78, departed this life peacefully on Friday, July 22, 2011. He was the retired Chief Medical Examiner for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Mr. Wiecking was born in Washington DC and grew up in Alexandria. He attended Episcopal High School ('50) and Princeton University ('54). After serving two years in the U.S. Navy, he entered Johns Hopkins School of Medicine graduating in 1960. While in medical school, he met Mary Jane Stoll, and they wed in August 1959.

The couple moved to Charlottesville in 1960 so he could attend the University of Virginia's medical school residency program. Mr. Wiecking completed two years of surgical residency, followed by three years of Pathology residency, to become Board Certified in Forensic Pathology. While completing his medical residency, he also attended and graduated from the University's School of Law in 1969 and passed the Virginia State Bar.

Based in Richmond, Mr. Wiecking served as the Chief Medical Examiner from 1972 – 1993. Under his twenty-one year tenure, the office became one of the most respected state-run, forensic laboratories in the nation. Of particular note was his personal involvement in directing the lab in conducting the nation's first successful DNA-based prosecution for capital crimes. During his tenure, he also taught at the Medical College of Virginia, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and served on the board of the American Board of Forensic Science. He retired in 1993.

He and his wife, Mary Jane, moved to Westminster Canterbury in Charlottesville in 2003.

Throughout his life, Mr. Wiecking enjoyed train travel, a passion which he shared with his wife, riding almost every passenger track in the contiguous United States. He was a voracious reader with a respected intellect and a deep passion for baseball and the Redskins – a fan to the end of his days. He was a man of great humor, generosity and compassion. He was beloved by all.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Jane; a son and his wife, Lt Col James (USMC Ret) and Helen Wiecking; a daughter and her husband, Jack and Caroline Wiecking Murphy; a daughter and her husband, Eric and Janet Wiecking Leimeister; grandchildren, Addison Wiecking, Peyton Wiecking, Annajane Murphy, Isaac Murphy, Fiona Murphy, Nora Murphy, and Violet Leimeister.

Memorial gifts may be made to Westminster Canterbury, WCBR Fellowship Fund, 250 Pantops Mountain Road, Charlottesville, VA 22911 or Episcopal High School, 1200 Quaker Lane,Alexandria, VA 22302.

A memorial service will be held at Westminster Canterbury, Charlottesville on Sunday, July 31, at 2 p.m. A reception will follow immediately after the memorial service.

Hill and Wood Funeral Home, Charlottesville, is serving the family.