David Warren Smith

David Warren Smith passed from his previous assignments, missions, and activities on June 6, 2022. He had a heavenly offer one could not refuse, nor return from. Dave believed it's a glorified reunion with past family, friends, pets, and a meeting with one greater than us. He leaves behind his wife Sandra, of 39 years, their three grown children, Morgan (Jenn), Taylor, and Holly, a grandson, Avery, sister Carol (Butch), and sister-in-law Linda. Born November 26, 1947, in Portland, Oregon, he graduated from South Eugene High School in 1965, the University of Oregon in 1969, where he was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity, and the University of Oregon School of Dentistry in 1972. Dave served in the U.S. Army from August 1973 to September 1976, and then again from April 1983 to February 2000 when he retired with the rank of a "Full Bird" Colonel. He did three tours of duty in Germany, and postings at Ft. Lewis (Washington), Ft. Hood (Texas), and Ft. Carson (Colorado). After leaving the Army, Dave worked with Kaiser in Portland until he retired in 2010. During his time with Kaiser, Dave and Sandy made six trips to Central America with Medical Teams International going to small villages to provide dental work for the villagers. In 2015, Dave and Sandy moved to Bend, Oregon. Very athletic, Dave was a wrestler in high school, he was a runner, biker, skier, scuba diver, and avid hiker all of his life. He was an accomplished racquetball player, taking part in numerous tournaments in Oregon and Germany. During his time in Colorado, he climbed 30 of the 54 "Fourteeners". His two passions were travel and birding. He traveled to 80 countries and to every continent except Antarctica. His knowledge of birds was encyclopedic, and his enthusiasm infectious for anyone around him whether on a hike, a jeep on safari in Africa, or a simple walk around the block where he would point out a bird most of us would have missed. Family and friends meant everything to him. He was loyal, caring, and generous to a fault. For the last four years of his life, Dave suffered from ATTR-CM Amyloidosis which affected the left ventricle of his heart. It was incredibly debilitating and restricted his activities more and more as time went on. It was difficult to watch such an active, energetic, person decline, but he always kept fighting. Even his doctor said that "he was an inspiration to all of us". He will be missed, though he was taken too soon, he is in a better place. The family is planning for a military service at Rest Haven Memorial Park in Eugene, followed by a celebration of life after the service sometime this summer for all who are able and wish to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Portland Audubon Society, 5151 NW Cornell Road, Portland, OR 97210.

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David Warren Smith

November 26, 1947 - June 6, 2022