Esther Davis

Esther and Don Davis both passed away in 2003. Esther and Don Davis have generously sponsored the UB Mini-Medical School since 1999. Without their strong support, the program would not be the success it has become.

After donating $600,000 to the mini-medical school, UB will always be indebted to the Davis family. Mr. Davis remarked “The university is the greatest thing that has happened to our area and we wanted to do something that would benefit the entire community.”

In 1996, it was $200,000 to WBFO 88.7 FM, the National Public Radio affiliate operated by the University at Buffalo. In 1989, $200,000 went to endow the university’s Distinguished Speaker Series. Davis remarked at the time, “I have a great feeling for the community that has done so much for me and my company.”

Harry Sultz, professor emeritus of social and preventive medicine, and former director of the mini-medical school praised Esther and Don Davis as “wonderful people whose ethical precepts and integrity led to their business success,” and thanked them for their generous contribution to community education, a sentiment seconded by scores of mini-medical school attendees.

Don Davis

Born in 1914 to Margaret Ramsey and Letchworth P. Davis, Don Davis attended UB in the 1930s. He then went to work for Universal Credit Co., before moving to Curtiss-Wright Corp., on to Market Installment Credit Corp., and finally to Villa Pontiac before striking out on his own in 1958, when he incorporated as Don Davis Pontiac, Inc., now known as Don Davis Auto World.

A man who was dedicated to Western New York, friends and family, Davis brought his son into the automobile business in 1968. Together they recommitted to this region in 1976 when other businesses were leaving town. “Money wasn’t everything. For myself, my dad and our employees, Buffalo offered everything we’d ever want,” John Davis had said.

Don Davis took his home and hearth commitments seriously. When his house burned, he rebuilt the “home” where he had raised his family. He sold his antique car collection when health challenges caused him to call his wheelchair the fastest vehicle in his fleet. He was known to babysit a neighbor'r frog because it was "neighborly."

His wife, Esther P., who worked at the dealership from 1960 until 1985, is Don’s constant companion, whether they were donating money to charitable causes, going to church or attending the UB Distinguished Speaker’s Series.

Clearly, this was a man who loved his community as proven through gifts to the university with a presence felt far beyond the campus borders. One UB alumna summed it up recently when attending an alumni event in Florida, “the mini-medical school is the best thing happening at UB right now.”

Don Davis, community served.