David Michael Westley

David Michael Westley passed away at home on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, lovingly cared for by his wife and daughters. He was 78 years old.

David was born in Madison, Wisconsin, the middle child of Bruce and Rosemary Westley. The family moved several times during his childhood but Madison was always home to him. When reminiscing about his early years, he described wild adventures in the neighborhood with his siblings and friends, the trials of Catholic school and the joy of discovering his aptitude for theatre and music. From his father he inherited a thirst for academic life and from his mother he was given the profound gift of unconditional support and love. Her steadfastness and care were key to David’s ability to succeed in his career and as a father and husband.

David met his wife Barbara Niedzwiecki at the University of Wisconsin. They married in1975 and recently celebrated 50 years together! David's greatest pride was his role as father to his daughters, Sarah and Anna. He and Barbara spent many vacations and holidays with his daughters, his son-in-law of many years, Brendan, and his three grandchildren: Eamon, Madison and Ida. He will be remembered as a silly and devoted grandpa, an engaged and proud father and a doting, passionate husband.

In his professional life David was a teacher, linguist, folklorist, and librarian passionate about African languages and literature. He earned his doctorate at the University ofWisconsin–Madison with a dissertation on oral tradition and the beginnings of Hausafiction. He taught in Nigeria on two occasions, at the North East College of Arts andScience (now the University of Maiduguri) and at Bayero University, Kano. He later served as an Assistant Professor at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, teachingHausa, African Folklore, African Literature, Contemporary Africa, and World History.

In January 1989, the head of the African Studies Library, Gretchen Walsh, hired David to serve as Africana Bibliographer at Boston University, where he supported students, faculty and many visiting researchers over the years. He played an important role in building up the Africana collections, including oversight of the maps collection.Throughout his time at Boston University, he actively published book reviews for Choice as well as a number of annotated bibliographies and articles on subjects ranging from mental health & psychiatry in Africa to Hausa oral traditions, Swahili linguistics,Southern Bantu praise poetry, and South African history and autobiography. His work to document the Africana languages in the African Studies Library identified over 300 languages within the holdings!

David retired in 2014, and almost immediately applied to become a Research Affiliate at the African Studies Center, a role that he kept for years afterward. He was a frequent visitor to the African Studies Library, pursuing his research interests and writing. His most recent published work was “Dimu: An Ancient Character in Modern BantuLanguage Tales,” published in a 2022 issue of the journal, Fabulazeitschrift Für Erzählforschung / Journal of Folktale Studies / Revue d’Etudes sur le Conte Populaire. 

For over 25 years, David was a fixture in the African Studies Library at Boston University. Researchers still rely on his contributions to the Africana collections and his bibliographies. Above all, he survives in the hearts of the many faculty, alumni, researchers and colleagues he worked with over the years. He leaves behind a legacy that has enriched the field of African studies.

In David’s senior years he was active as a musician, film aficionado, short story group groupie and spiritual seeker in Brookline, Massachusetts. He travelled with his wife,Barbara, to several countries, including Cuba, Greece and South Africa. He loved playing the autoharp and composed several songs for that instrument. David’s love for literature, music, theater and spirituality nurtured many deep friendships far and wide.He will be remembered by family, friends, colleagues and neighbors as an extraordinary human, who was not afraid to ask for and receive support throughout life’s many challenges. In turn, his humility, grace, humor and vulnerability served to lift up others in their own time of struggle.

Besides his wife, children and grandchildren, he is survived by his brother Richard ofMiddleton, Wisconsin, sister Joan of Middleton, sister Barbara of Mankato, Minnesota and many nieces, nephews, and cousins around the country.

In lieu of flowers, support an organization that helps people, your local library, independent bookstores and mom and pop restaurants everywhere.