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DAVID C. SMITH On Sunday, May 26 David passed away at St. Joseph's Hospice in Tacoma, Washington as a result of complications related to his two year battle with cancer. He was 56 years old. David is survived by his sons Matthew, Sean and Eric and his sister Susan (Henry Klassen). He was predeceased by his father C.K., also known as Smitty, and his mother Joyce. David was born in Winnipeg but his early years were spent in Dauphin, Manitoba, where, as a precocious child he kept his mother challenged. When David was eight the family returned to the Westwood area of Winnipeg where he attended primary and secondary school. He made friends easily and many stayed in touch throughout his lifetime. As a youth David was active in sports, particularly football and swimming, and loved anything to do with flight. David found his niche when he enrolled in, and graduated from, the aviation program at the University of North Dakota, also earning his private pilot's license. It was there he met Linda, the mother of his three wonderful boys. After graduation David worked for Transport Canada in Winnipeg and Edmonton and for the state of New York in the aviation field. While they lived in beautiful Clifton Park, N.Y., Matthew and Sean were born. In 1993 David and his family moved to Seattle where he was employed as an aviation planner with the Port of Seattle, SeaTac for the remainder of his career. David was an expert in his field and travelled throughout the U. S. on matters related to his work. He considered himself fortunate to work at something he had such a passion for. His son Eric was born in Tacoma, Washington. Over the past few years David and his boys spent time in the summer at Clear Lake, Manitoba. There would be lots of cribbage, boat rides, barbeques and "discussions". His good friend George Rugg and his family, and Susan and Henry would regularly join them. These visits allowed everyone in Manitoba to better know his boys as they developed into fine young adults. Family and friends are also grateful that over the past two years they were able to enjoy several visits, as well as, American Thanksgivings together in Auburn, Washington. David loved his boys more than anything in the world. He was very proud of them and would often relate their accomplishments sending stories and pictures of their adventures or achievements. David was kind, sentimental, a great joke and story teller and just like his mother, he loved to stay up late and sleep in. He enjoyed shooting pool at "The Page", a favourite hangout in Auburn, Washington and he did his best to never eat breakfast or vegetables. He will be missed. The family would like to thank the staff of St. Joseph Medical Centre and Hospice for providing exceptional care. As well the family is grateful to David's friend Carol and her daughters, Lucita and Juliana, for their assistance over the past months. A gathering to reminisce and celebrate his life will be held in Bonney Lake, Washington on Sunday, June 9. In memory of David, take the time to fill out an organ donation card or do a good deed for someone in need.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 01, 2013
Condolences & Memories (17 entries)
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I am deeply saddened to read Dave's obituary, gone way too young. We were next door neighbours on Allard Avenue back in the 70's. My parents and Joyce and Smitty were great friends. I had the biggest crush on Dave, he was such a cutie and so polite, My parents and siblings extend our heartfelt condolences. - Posted by: Linda Bird (MOLINARI) (Allard Avenue neighbot) on: Jun 30, 2014
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Dave and I attended the same schools as well a being neighbours. Our Dads were friends as well. A group of us who were into music as Dave was used to sit in the school field and sing together. Dave would always have his guitar to accompany us. Cindy, Joanne, Nancy and Heather will remember these times as well. We went out on a date after Graduation and had such a good time. I agree with many who have described him as a Gentleman. - Posted by: laurie McKenzie-tann (school friend) on: Jun 25, 2013
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What fun it was raising my boys the same age as Dave's. We worked together in Aviation Planning from 1993-99 and exchanged a lot of stories of the rascally things boys do -- sometimes little boys, sometimes big boys! Keep smiling down at us, Dave, & watch for more shenanigans. - Posted by: Geri Poor (co-worker) on: Jun 24, 2013
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Dave will be missed by his coworkers. His love for aviation, and for teaching people about it were very strong. The countless number of airport tours and classes he taught, hours spent listening to the tower, identifying aircraft and knowing their story.....I knew if Dave had the radio in hand and was standing at the window looking out on the airfield something was about to happen. His love for aviation was surpassed by his love for his boys, whom he loved to tell people about. Dave, you went far too young, and will be missed by many...... - Posted by: Elizabeth Leavitt (Coworker) on: Jun 23, 2013
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I worked with Dave at Seatac Airport. Every time I talked to him he'd steer the conversation to his boys. He was a proud Papa and he was a very good colleague. - Posted by: Bqrney Myer (None) on: Jun 20, 2013
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Dave was an incredibly nice man. I never met him face to face, but he took the time to mentor me on the phone about his incredible background. He shared with me his love for airport planning. Dave was a great guy and will be missed. - Posted by: Evan Wahl (Friend) on: Jun 19, 2013
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I first met Dave about 13 years ago when I was working at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix. Dave served as a mentor to me and we often kept in touch by email through the years. One of my fondest memories of Dave is silly - My emails to him would start with "Good Morning Sunshine!" He would always respond with "Good Morning Moonbeam!" He was a good friend, great mentor, and he will be missed. "Goodbye Sunshine!" - Posted by: Susan Palmeri (Airport Friend ) on: Jun 19, 2013
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I met David at one of the AAAE conferences and several times for the Operations safety and planning committee over the Tele-conference. He gave 100% dedicated to his work We Ops committee miss him as Vice Chair. Sesha. Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport,TX - Posted by: Sesha Vorrey (Friend) on: Jun 19, 2013
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I worked with Dave for more than 10 years. He was always friendly and ready to laugh. His three boys were the joy of his life and he was always proud to talk about their latest accomplishments. Peace, friend. - Posted by: Troy Brown (Co-worker at Sea-Tac Airport) on: Jun 14, 2013
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I write this with sorrow in my heart yet happiness to have known Dave… I used to be Dave’s cube partner and as you know, sitting next to someone for 5 years enables you to get to know them quite well. Dave was always up beat, walking into the office with a trail of cologne, his briefcase in hand, and that “hat” that he was most impressed with placed high on his head exactly the same every day. Oh, and the briefcase placed in the exact same spot on his desk as well, just a little OCD? The computer would come on, then the stroll to the window, binoculars in hand to view the changes that may or may not have occurred overnight on the Airfield. I never knew that Aviation could run so think in one’s blood… Dave apparently would come back to his desk and record the weather and wind direction, and what “flow” we were in! I only know this because on one of his trips to Clear Lake, he asked me to record the information… Not being an avid Aviation person, I had not a clue where or what he was looking at to obtain his information… The aviation lessons continued… There were days that for no reason he would say over the wall, “did you see that”! “See what”? “That aircraft (he would know exactly what type of aircraft) had to do a go around! I wonder what’s going on”-out come the binoculars and the tower radio. He generally was the first to give Public Affairs the heads-up that something was going on out there… The earthquake February 28, 2001 was one event I will NEVER forget! As the building was shaking, Dave is walking in slow motion towards the window to see what’s going on. Once the shaking stopped I found Dave folded like a pretzel under an old oak desk, the space was about 2x2. Now how he fit under there to this day neither one of us knew, but I was his witness. Dave was always coming back from his “smoke breaks” with a new phone number. One day while on his “smoke break” he got this ladies number and had to call her as she wrote her number on the last page of the book she was reading! The phone call went something like this – “I thought I should call you just in case you wanted to know how your book ends”. He was there to greet them EVERY new person that walked into our office, drag them to his cube and proceed to show them “the boys”. He had no idea who these people were - but they knew all about his boys before they left the office. The wolf pack football team was the main topic. One day he came in with the story about “hair on fire”. I had NO CLUE what he was talking about… apparently the boys knew, and once that was said they would run out on the field full speed ahead! I have never met anyone that was more proud of his kids. He told us stories every day about one of them… The Pride poured out even to strangers… So I conclude, “Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow." - Author unknown GODSPEED MY FRIEND. - Posted by: Brenda Sullivan ("Cube" Partner at work) on: Jun 11, 2013
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I met Dave in Junior High school. We were in home room together for a few years. We used to play football in the fall and hockey on the outdoor ice at Sansome........Dave accidentally got hit with the puck one day and still ended up with a smile on his face.......he truly loved life and gave anyone he met the benefit of the doubt. When I was bullied in grade 8 and 9, Dave intervened and offered to protect me........he was just that way. Dave was the true definition of a gentleman. I just re-connected with him less than a year ago, and we had made a commitment to drive down I5 to see each other after 35 years..........I'll miss him. - Posted by: Bob Dowbiggin (School Friend) on: Jun 10, 2013
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David and I used to hang out after school. He was such a nice guy and a real gentleman. He was a great listener and so well liked by his classmates. His time came way too soon. My condolences to his family. - Posted by: Cindy Leishman-Nicholls (Friend) on: Jun 05, 2013
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Dave was my best friend. When I moved to Winnipeg in 1975 Dave took me under his wing and made me feel quite welcome. Over the years we had a number of adventures together including going to George's house for Saturday night parties, hanging out with Rollie and Rick, working up North on the Nelson River dam sites, travelling to Montreal, learning how to play chess and bridge, flying (with Dave as the pilot), and being my best man at my wedding. He was always passionate about aviation and his boys when we exchanged phone calls or e-mails. Never one to complain, he had his opionions and his desires but always strove to be the better man. He was my good friend when I needed it most. We will miss him. Thanks for the memories Dave! - Posted by: John Duhault (Friend) on: Jun 04, 2013
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I used to go to David's for the odd party, it was so much fun!.. he always let me play my corny records, even though he took alot of flack for it! He was so much fun, and so easy going.. he will be truly missed! RIP David - Posted by: Jo-anne Schell (friend from "Westwood", Winnipeg Mb.) on: Jun 03, 2013
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Dave was a great friend and person. He enjoyed talking about planes and how the airport worked. He would have great discussions about Spitfires, Lancasters and other planes of that time period. He enjoyed watching people with a deep in thought look on his face, then he would get a twinkle in his eye because he would notice something odd or interesting about them. He like WW2 movies (specially Kelly's Heroes), Star Trek and The History Channel, and the new channel...the Smith Channel (which is the Smithsonian Channel, but is shortened on the TV to Smith). He liked to talk about music; Beatles, BTO, and Linklin Park. And did he play it loud in the car. Yikes. Dave will be missed by many, as he was friends and buddies with many. He was a emotional furniture mover for some and just a great listener to others. Rest in Peace Dave. - Posted by: Carol Paine (Friend) on: Jun 03, 2013
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David and I met in elementary school ... he used to carry my books home from school. He maintained the mixture of impish fun seeker and old world charm. While friends through school, we lost touch as people do ... we reconnected six years ago, in a meaningful and special way, and for that I am so very grateful. His friendship, support, humour, counsel and spirit of generosity will be missed. - Posted by: maureen rice (friend) on: Jun 01, 2013
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Dave was my good friend from early childhood to today. Our life paths meandered across two countries but always came back together to carry on where we left off. Never a need to apologize for gaps in communication. Only a quick update was needed, then enjoy each others passions and company. Dave' s passion was aviation and everything about it. He lived his passion everyday at Sea Tac Airport. If you ever fly to Seattle, you can thank Dave for part of its planning. Dave could guess the make of a plane passing overhead by its sound. It was a way of showing off which Dave was always glad to do from a very early age. The last few years he loved to talk of the accomplishments of his three sons, Matt, Sean and Eric. Matt a very accomplished Computer expert, keeping the world connected. Sean moving up in the US Army and taking university in Colorado. Eric is just graduating from high school with accomplishments in his high school swimming program. Dave was a very accomplished swimmer himself! May Dave rest in peace knowing that his friendship will be missed by everyone he met. - Posted by: George Rugg (Friend) on: Jun 01, 2013