David Gregory Tauchen

1952 - 2016

David Gregory Tauchen

July 4, 1952

December 15, 2016

With heavy hearts we share the news that our beloved David Gregory Tauchen, 64, lost his battle with Lyme Disease and Behavioral Variant Frontal Temporal Degeneration (BvFTD) on Thursday, December 15th, 2016. He passed peacefully at home with his family by his side in Reno, NV.

Dave was born in Madison, WI on July 4, 1952 to Theodore "Ted" and Ethel Rita Kelly Tauchen. He spent his early years convinced that all the fireworks were a celebration for him.

David grew up in the Catholic church attending Blessed Sacrament Elementary School and Edgewood High School, graduating in 1970. David was an altar boy who later confessed he had been "lip syncing" the Latin parts.

David's first job was a paper boy riding his bike all over town. After that he became a lifeguard at Vilas park, then gave cave tours at Lost River Caves in Blue Mounds, WI, and followed that with working at Eagle grocery store working his way up from stocking shelves to a meat cutter. David enjoyed being in the Boy Scouts, fishing, and hunting.

David attended University of Wisconsin for three years studying science. Then he moved to Salt Lake City, UT where he fell in love with the west and all the outdoor activities that came with it. In Salt Lake City, he worked for Harmon's grocery store as a meat cutter where he met a co-worker who got him into flying. He became a flight instructed during the day and a meat cutter by night. He eventually started flying oil executives in Navajos around the west mainly to WY. David was hired by Skywest Airlines in March 1982, flying Navajos then Metroliners based out of St. George, UT. David was excited to get hired with Republic Airlines on April 29, 1985, where he flew a Boeing 727 as a 2nd Officer (engineer), based in Minneapolis, MN. In 1986, he flew a Boeing 727 as a 1st Officer (co-pilot). In 1987, he flew the McDonald Douglas MD-80 as a 1st Officer (co-pilot). From 1988-1991 he flew the McDonald Douglas DC-9 as a 1st Officer (co-pilot). From 1991-2003 he flew the Boeing 747-200 cargo as a 1st Officer (co-pilot) flying to Narita, Japan and beyond, which is what he enjoyed the most. He was first based in Anchorage, AK living in Eagle River, AK for the first two years, then moved to Reno, NV. In July 1993 while living in NV, he commuted to Los Angeles, CA, Seattle, WA, and Minneapolis, MN. In 2003, he flew the Airbus A-320 as Captain. Medically retiring March 1, 2010.

David was larger than life and truly was one of a kind. He never met a boundary he could not cross with his incredible sense of adventure and joyful attack on life.

After a brief marriage to Ann Miller, he met Lisa Buckingham and eventually they married April 22, 1989, in Paradise Valley, NV. They had three children, Riley, Garek, and Heather. David was a terrific father and always tried to bid his flying trips around his children's life events. He was with his family every minute he was not in the cockpit flying. They had many great family adventures such as skiing, hiking, hunting, and taking yearly fishing trips to Alaska. David had a great love and respect for the outdoors and he shared that passion and energy with his family. Together David and Lisa built a log home on 67 acres out of Reno, NV to provide their children with life long childhood memories.

David loved listening to music, especially the Beatles. He was a history buff and was exceptionally knowledgeable about the Civil War and WWII. David had many favorite sayings such as, "it was the deal of the century," "gutsy move," or "its best in the west." David had a great sense of humor and was always up for a new adventure. He has shed the limitations from Lyme and BvFTD, so he can begin another adventure.

Through the ravages of a terrible disease, David received the absolute best care available. Lisa and children live by the Golden Rule and provided loving, nurturing care. Lisa dedicated herself to taking care of David's comfort down to the smallest detail. It is a testament to the family that David was in the home he loved until his last breathe.

He is survived by his mother Ethel Tauchen, brother George (Helen) Tauchen, nephew Robert Tauchen, sister Cindy (Stephen) Bray, niece MacKenzie Bray and nephew Zachary Bray, wife Lisa Tauchen, sons' Riley (Markee) Tauchen, Garek Tauchen, and daughter Heather Tauchen. Grandchildren Vanna and Dominic Tauchen. His dear cousin Ron Tauchen, Linda Tauchen and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his father Ted Tauchen, brother Bob Tauchen, niece Amelia Marguet, and nephew Alex Bray.

Celebration of LIFE was Tuesday, December 27, 2016, at 11 a.m. at West 2nd Events Center 600 W 2nd Street Reno, NV to carry on his WI pride please join us immediately after for a beer and brat party.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to http://tinyurl.com/IMOTauchen to help fund research to find a cause and cure for this terrible disease of Behavioral Variant Frontal Temporal Degeneration (BvFTD).