David W. Cudney

David W. Cudney, loving husband, dad, granddad, and friend, passed away in Riverside, CA, at the age of 82, on March 30, 2023. He fought several medical issues with grace, dignity, and a ready smile.

David met the love of his life, Loretta Claycamp, at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, over 60 years ago. They were married in December of 1962. After they graduated from KSU, they moved to California. While living in El Centro, California, they were blessed with three children, Michael, Jana, and Lisa. He was a farm advisor with the University of California Agricultural Extension Service for 15 years in El Centro, CA, doing research throughout the Imperial County and distributing those findings to the farmers there and throughout the state.

When he accepted the position of Weed Specialist for Southern California, still with the UC system, the family moved to Riverside, CA, where he continued his research and distribution of knowledge throughout the state. While he was working at UCR, he also earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Riverside, in 1989. He also served as the president of the California Weed Society in 1995. Along with six colleagues from all over the western United States, he published the indentification book, Weeds of the West. This book is a testament to his knowledge and love of plant-life in the western United States.

David was also an avid pilot who took pride in building his own plane, an RV7A. His plane took 1st place in the Home Built category for two years in a row (2010 and 2011) at the Riverside Airshow. He loved to fly, whether he was flying in formation with friends, doing “loops” with his grandkids (and wife), flying Young Eagles, or traveling to many states around the country with his lovely wife.

He is survived by Loretta Cudney, his wife, and his children, Michael Cudney of Riverside, CA; Jana Cudney of Ontario, CA; and Lisa Zaldivar and her husband, Anthony Zaldivar, and their children, Alyssa and Christopher, all of San Dimas, CA, and Anthony Zaldivar of Palm Desert; his sister, Rita Suminski and her husband, Russell Suminski of Minden, Nevada.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, April 22nd at 1:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church of Riverside. There will be a reception following the service in the Fellowship Hall. During this time, David’s plane will be flown over the church as part of a “missing man formation”.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following...

Dave served on the Board of Trustees at the Church for many years. A donation to the Building Fund at First United Methodist Church of Riverside is a suggestion. Checks should be payable to FUMCOR or First United Methodist Church. Please note “Building Fund in Memory of Dave Cudney” in the memo.

Dave would appreciate a donation to aid in the research of Parkinson’s Disease at www.parkinson.org.

Dave’s passion was his volunteer work in flying Young Eagles for EAA Chapter One. Make checks payable to EAA Chapter One. Indicate “Young Eagles in memory of Dave Cudney” in the memo.

Checks can be mailed to:

Flabob Airport, Hangar 16A

℅ EAA Chapter One

4130 Mennes Avenue

Riverside, CA 92509

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AchesonandGraham.com for the Cudney family.