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August 28, 2006: David J. Gauthier, age 80, long-time aviation enthusiast, beloved husband, father, grandfather and mentor to many, died at his home in Auburn, Washington, USA, following a courageous battle with cancer. Dave was born July 29, 1926 and grew up in the town of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. He served in the US Navy during WWII and Korea. Dave worked as an aircraft mechanic and pilot for several airlines and aircraft companies in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. He began his career with Northwest Airlines in 1950 and retired in 1986. He performed at airshows on the west coast in the 1960's and 1970's with his Fokker Triplane replica which now hangs in the foyer of the IMAX theater at Evergreen Aviation Museun in McMinnville, Oregon. (Photo) Dave constructed home built aircraft, restored antique airplanes and lent a hand to anyone who shared his passion for building and flying aircraft. In 1967 David founded Evergreen Sky Ranch/Gauthier-Ives Airport, a grass airstrip in the Auburn-Enumclaw, Washington area. David is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Jean Gauthier of Seattle, son David who lives with his wife Kelli and children Milan and Chayse in Bellingham, Washington, by a brother, Ted, of Saulte Ste. Marie, four step-children, 10 step-grandchildren and many loving friends and neighbors. |
