David received his bachelor's degree in 1959 from University of St. Thomas (Houston) and MS and Ph.D. degree from Texas A & M University in 1963 and 1965 respectively. From 1964 to 1967 he was a postdoctoral fellow at the Mellon Institute, Pittsburgh and joined the faculty at Southern Illinois University in 1967. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1971 and to full Professor in 1981.
David's research honors and awards include Robert A. Welch Fellow (1962-1964) and Mellon Institute Postdoctoral Fellow (1964-1967). He served on numerous departmental and university committees and as Assistant Chairman from 1980 to 1999.. He served as Department Chair from August 1999 till his retirement in August 2000.
David is a member of Phi Lambda Upsilon, American Chemical Society, Sigma Xi and was an Advisor for Undergraduate Student Affiliate.