SCIENTIST, historian, district councillor, a man who worked hard and quietly for other people, Dave Pullen, died this month.

His funeral service at the Exeter and Devon Crematorium was crowded with people from all of the worlds Dave had touched.

He will be remembered in many ways. One will be the small orchard to be planted at Copplestone School where he had been a governor. He joined Mid Devon District Council in 1995 as a member for Yeo Ward. This was after he had helped neighbours in Westernlea at Crediton when properties had been badly flooded.

He became a member of Crediton Hamlets Parish Council earlier this year.

Born in Exeter, David's family moved during the war to one of the row of thatched cottages on Fore Street, Morchard Bishop, where he grew up

He became a boarder at Teignmouth Grammar School until he was 16 when he joined Ambrosia at Lapford, working in the laboratories.

From there he did his National Service with the Royal Army Medical Corps and was posted to serve on the hospital ship El-Nil that had been King Farouk of Egypt's yacht before it was chartered as a troopship. Dave sailed around the world on her during his two years' service.

When he was demobilised and with an ambition to become a biochemist, David studied at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, where he met Eileen, who became his wife in July 1955.

Eileen worked with British Petroleum who David later joined, working for 30 years in the research laboratory, testing oil products.

They lived at Yateley, Berkshire and had three children - David, Martin and Lynda - who gave David and Eileen nine grandchildren.

They had often returned to the Morchard Bishop area for holidays and when he retired, David and Eileen moved to Crediton where he became deeply involved in local history.

David researched the farming community, spending two days a week at the Devon Record Office in Exeter. All his notes and records are now lodged with Crediton Area History and Museum Society.

A keen sportsman, Dave had been involved with Crediton United Football Club.

Many people will remember him as the man who preferred to stand at the back of things, nearly always wearing a cap. As his widow says, he did a lot for other people but always preferring no fuss, just the satisfaction of a task carried out.

He was a member of Crediton Area Liberal Democrats who said he endeared himself to his constituents by his sincerity, hard work and commitment to the community.

"Always courteous and fair, Dave was a 'one-off' who first thought things through and then spoke his mind, without fear or favour," was an often heard comment.

Peter Hare-Scott, Leader Mid Devon District Council, said he had "the greatest respect for David".

Stuart Busby, headteacher of Copplestone School, said David's integrity and resolution had helped achieve projects in that community.

Phil Borne, who shared Yeo Ward with David, said he was "a champion for local issues and a top line ward councillor". He had long been a member of Devon Playing Fields Association.

Phil said David could be objective without offending people, had always been interested in council housing issues and would attend Tenants' Meetings.

S Read