Meet David Hughes

David Woodrow Hughes was born in Van Nuys, California in 1941, just before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The son of a Churches of Christ minister, David spent much of his youth relocating across the country as his father established new congregations. He completed high school in the picturesque Hood River Valley in Oregon, nestled at the base of snow-covered Mount Hood, where he and his brother Jim worked on their family’s 37-acre fruit orchard of apples and pears. From a young age, David knew he wanted to be a dentist. He earned his BS in biology and religion from Abilene Christian College, and later a DMD from the University of Oregon Dental School. In 1968, he married Linda—the love of his life—while finishing dental school. Together, they raised three children and now enjoy ten grandchildren. David practiced dentistry for 54 years across multiple locations in Oregon and Texas, earning recognition as "Dentist of the Year" multiple times and "Businessman of the Year" in 1999. He retired in July 2023 and now lives in Plano, Texas. A lifelong learner and adventurer, David is also an avid traveler, golfer, historian, and author. He recently published his debut mystery novel The Hand of Glory and his poetry collection Experiencing Life Through Poetic Verse, which was honored as a Top Ten Book of 2025.

David’s passion for history has inspired a lifetime of collecting rare and fascinating items. His interest began in childhood while hunting for obsidian arrowheads in the Columbia River region near his home in Hood River, Oregon. Over time, he built an impressive personal collection that includes Native American artifacts, U.S. and foreign coins, Roman Caesar coins from the 5th to 10th centuries, Viking and Crusader-era pieces, rare stamps, religious manuscripts, autographs, and American historical items. His carefully curated library of over 2,000 books spans two bedrooms, showcasing his deep love for knowledge and preservation. Now at 84, David is offering these treasured collections for purchase through his website—hoping to connect with others who share his appreciation for history, heritage, and the stories that artifacts hold.