David MacGregor Lang

On November 28, 2023, David MacGregor Lang, 91, passed away. Dave was born in Vermont in 1932. He grew up in Quincy, Massachusetts, the only child of David MacGregor Lang Sr., a Scottish immigrant who worked in the Bethlehem Steel Shipyard and Vivian Lang, who served as secretary to the governor of Vermont and who was a professional, skillful contest winner. Dave graduated from Harvard in 1954 then went into the U.S. Air Force where he was stationed in Texas. After serving in the Air Force, he received his MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and earned the second highest grade in the country on the CPA exam in 1959.

While at Harvard, Dave met the love of his life, Pamela (Richardson), who was attending Tufts. They married in 1955 and shared 51 wonderful years together before her passing in 2006. They had four children, Ronald (now deceased), Thomas, Kimberly, and Douglas.

Dave worked as a partner at Price Waterhouse (PWC) for most of his career in offices located in Philadelphia, PA, Boston, MA and Rochester, NY, where he distinguished himself as an auditor for many prominent clients. He was also a major recruiter for the firm for which he received many awards from local colleges. He then enjoyed retirement in Jaffrey, NH where he served as treasurer for organizations such as the Jaffrey Historical Society and the Jaffrey Civic Center. Dave also enjoyed many good times with family and friends on Cape Cod where he and Pam purchased a home in 1976.

After becoming fascinated with the few beer cans seen in his parent’s mostly teetotaling household, Dave began collecting beer cans in his early adulthood. What started as 30 cans in a few pillowcases grew into an amazing collection of tens of thousands of beer cans categorized and shelved in a large basement. Most of these cans Dave found himself by digging them up in wooded areas where the cans had been tossed in the 1930s-1960s. He enjoyed sharing his hobby with other enthusiasts and belonged to several clubs including Brewery Collectibles Club of America, The Eastern Coast Breweriana Association, and The Rusty Bunch among others and he enjoyed their Canventions and shows around the country where he could often be seen tending bar for the beer tastings. He also wrote regular columns and articles in the hobby’s many publications regaling readers with stories of his digging (“dumping”) adventures and the history one can learn from the cans. Dave was featured on the tv show Chronicle NH and can be seen digging cans in YouTube videos. His hobby has led to many rusty treasures, great stories and long friendships.

Dave was a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He loved to read to his offspring, creating many fictional characters, such as Horatio Bear and Alexander Boopsieboy Pufflesneezer, with funny voices to entertain them. He will be remembered for many things and among them his wonderful laugh which was often heard and made everyone around him happy. Aside from collecting cans, Dave loved to read, write, watch and discuss sports, go for walks, play games, visit breweries, and laugh with family and friends. He loved ice cream, blueberries, PB&Js, BLTs, potato chips, cookies, popcorn and of course a fresh beer. To all who were lucky enough to meet and know him, Dave was simply a great guy.

Dave is survived by his sons, Tom (Pam) of RI, Doug of MA and his daughter, Kim (Dave) Crevier of MA, as well as many grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Dave will be honored at a Celebration of Life at Vanished Valley Brewery in Ludlow, MA on July 27 from 12-5.

Donations can be made in his name to Monadnock Community Hospital, C/O Philanthropy Office, 452 Old Street Road, Peterborough, NH 03458