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David Deal was a humanist scholar, studying at many universities. As a Wenatchee native, he began his studies at home in Washington; attending Whitworth University for his bachelors and University of Washington for his Ph.D. He then went on to Allahabad University in India and the Tokyo School of the Japanese Language. He continued his research at both Harvard and Stanford University, funded by various prestigious humanities rewards. He researched his doctoral dissertation on policies towards ethnic minorities in modern China from 1968 to 1969 in Taiwan before joining the Whitman college faculty the same year.

While at Whitman, Deal was a specialist in Asian studies, speaking both Chinese and Japanese. He is most recognized for founding the Asian studies program, as well as the Whitman College in China program in 1981. In his early years at Whitman, he taught Chinese, Japanese, and Indian history and later served as a Division Chair. His 32 year tenure at Whitman culminated in his service as Dean of the Faculty in 1988 to 1996, when he retired, though he continued to oversee the Whitman in China program until his passing. Deal died in 2001, survived by his wife (Judith Ann Deal), daughter (Laurie Kay Houck), son (Michael David Deal), and grandson (Michael David Deal, Jr.)