[2] As Chief of NASA's Geophysics Branch, David Strangway designed lunar experiments for Apollo astronauts and also was involved in the examination of returned Moon rocks that contributed to the further knowledge of the Solar System.

He was elevated to become the University's eleventh President after the designated successor, Donald Forster, suddenly died of a heart attack in August of that year.

He provided the direction and impetus that enabled the large, publicly funded University of British Columbia to achieve world-class status during his 12 years as President.

This was enhanced by leading what was at the time, Canada's largest fund-raising campaign and by creating UBC Real Estate Corp. to develop market housing.

Strangway retired from CFI 31 March 2004 in order to devote his full attention to Quest University Canada during the important construction and start-up phases of its development.

[citation needed] In 1997, he was appointed by Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien to join with William Ruckelshaus, an appointee of the President of the U.S., to study the Pacific Salmon controversy between the two countries.