David Edward Stauffer

Born February 13, 1952 in Indiana, died peacefully December 3, 2005 in Bothell, WA at home with his family after a long four year struggle with cancer. Survived by his wife Claire, sons Miles and Wayne, mother Ruth Metzger Lauren, brother Dan Marcia, and sister Diane Stangland Norm, as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

Dave left his hometown in Indiana when he enrolled in the Air Force. After basic training in Texas he was stationed in Denver, CO for four years at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver where he learned and taught film processing. Concurrently, he also held a full time job with a local TV station processing their news film. Denver is where he met his wife of 28 years - his roommate's sister who was visiting from Seattle. They were married December 3, 1977 in Denver and in 1978 Dave moved to Bothell, WA with his new wife. He accepted a job with the Merrill Lynch brokerage firm for one year. Dave then moved through a variety of jobs including motion film processing, jewelry sales, and three years with Graybar Electric. During his time with Graybar, Dave was introduced to fiber optic cable. For the last 12 years Dave was a northwest sales representative for Optical Cable Corporation, based in Roanoke, VA. He enjoyed his work, amassed numerous friends in the business, and was well respected by his co-workers and clients for his honesty and integrity. He particularly enjoyed the recent company holiday parties he attended back in Virginia. On his long road trips for work Dave passed the time listening to books on tape and discovered several authors he otherwise would not have read.

He loved sailing, skiing, traveling, and especially music. He enjoyed attending the Seattle Symphony and listening to his favorite jazz and classical albums. He also had a passion for airplanes, steam engines, WWII history, cats though he would never admit it and raising his two sons. Dave took great pride in the academic accomplishments of his sons. His most recent passion was a new Honda motorcycle that he recently bought this summer and was only able to enjoy for a short time.

Dave became involved in his community through Everett Kiwanis and the Bothell Library Board where he served as president and as a board member for ten consecutive years. One of his favorite duties was participating in the Bothell Fourth of July Parade representing the Bothell Library.

Dave was able to realize two of his life long dreams this year: visiting the Grand Canyon and attending an Elton John concert. He also was fortunate to take a last trip to Hawaii in September with some friends and his wife.

Dave enjoyed his more-than-yearly visits to friends and family back home in Indiana. He especially enjoyed revisiting his grandparents' farm and all the old haunts he enjoyed as a child. This gave him time to come back to his roots and reconnect with the people who gave him the skills to be a kind and decent person.

Dave appreciated the kind and caring attention he received from the physicians and staff of Evergreen Hospital. He considered them part of his support system. Although his visits often involved uncomfortable procedures, he looked forward to seeing the people that gave him support.

Although Dave was not a religious, his philosophy was simply to be a good person through friendship, volunteer work, kindness, humor, compassion and generosity.

He will be dearly missed.

Memorial service will be held on December 10, 2005 at 2:30 pm at Bothell Funeral Home. The funeral home is located at 18224 103rd Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011.

Remembrances can be sent to his beloved Bothell Library 18215 98th Ave. NE, Bothell, WA 98011, Children International Fund P.O. Box 219055 Kansas City, MO 64121, and Hope Link 16225 NE 87th St., Suite A-1, Redmond, WA 98052-3536.