F. Edwin Spafford, former student body president who retired in 1987 as an assistant vice chancellor after a 33-year career with the University of California, Davis, died today (Thursday, May 5) at Woodland Memorial Hospital following a stroke. Mr. Spafford, 70, served three UC Davis chancellors -- Stanley Freeborn, Emil Mrak and James Meyer -- and helped shepherd the campus's growth from 1,200 to 20,000 students. "Ed devoted his life to the campus," said Chancellor Emeritus James Meyer. "They just don't make them like him anymore. He was completely loyal to the campus and wouldn't let anyone speak ill of it." Said UC Davis Chancellor Larry N. Vanderhoef: "Ed's character was best exemplified by the fact that hundreds of university people considered him to be not just a co-worker, but a close, personal friend. That was most certainly true for Rosalie and me. He was for us a counselor and a dear, caring friend." Mr. Spafford accepted his first campus post in 1954, serving as assistant to then-Provost Stanley Freeborn by building relationships with students and alumni. His responsibilities grew to include the campus's physical planning and governmental and community relations. Campus liaison with the city and county for many years, Mr. Spafford helped develop the City of Davis General Plan and facilitated the annexation of Solano Park to Yolo County. When he retired in 1987, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors saluted Mr. Spafford's "commitment to honest and open communication" and his expert guidance of such major campus construction projects as the Health Sciences Complex, including the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital and the Medical Sciences Building, Recreation Hall, Briggs Hall and Meyer Hall. In 1991, the campus's arboretum waterway between the Wyatt Pavilion and Mrak Hall bridges was named "Lake Spafford" in recognition of Mr. Spafford's significant contributions to the campus. Betsy Marchand, Yolo County supervisor, said today that Mr. Spafford's "enduring good humor in any community/university-related subject was always one of the factors in reaching agreements. His knowledge of the history of UCD and of Yolo County made him a pleasure to deal with on any county/university issues." Added Davis City Councilmember Maynard Skinner, who, as mayor, worked closely with Mr. Spafford in the early 1970s: "Part of the reason the relationship between the university and the city was exemplary was the efforts of Ed Spafford. He was very knowledgeable, of course, about the university but very committed to ensuring effective communication existed between the city and university. It was a pleasure working with him." Mr. Spafford received bachelor's and master's degrees in agricultural education from UC Davis in 1953 and 1955, respectively. He served as student body president in 1952-53. He was past president of the Davis Rotary, a member of the UC Davis Yolo County Alumni Scholarship Committee and a volunteer with the Yolo Hospice. He enjoyed gardening on his two acres with burrows and a pet pot-bellied pig, visiting his grandchildren, traveling internationally and exploring 49 U.S. states by camper. Mr. Spafford is survived by his wife, Lois; daughter Susan England, 38, of Turlock and her husband Robert and children Benjamin and Grant; son Steven, 36, of Pleasant Hill and his wife Shelagh and children Caralee, Scott, Stanley and Kevin; son Stuart, 33, of San Francisco; and sister Edith Perry. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, May 9, at Davis Community Church, 412 C St. in Davis. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cal Aggie Alumni Association "Students First" Scholarship Fund, c/o the Development Office, University of California, Davis, CA 95616.