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DAVID E. TECKER July 12, 1937 ~ November 11, 2016 Wonderful husband, father, grandfather, teacher, friend. From an early age and throughout his life, a strong work ethic and being independent was of great importance to David. Born in Chicago, he spent many summers working with his aunts and uncles on the Tecker Ranch in Nebraska and Forest Inn in Estes Park, Colorado. Being independent started early and he held many jobs: paper boy, golf caddy, gas station attendant, grocery clerk, bank teller on Catalina Island, chef's helper, commercial fisherman and six years in the Army Reserves. His family moved from Chicago to San Diego in 1947. The day after graduating from Chula Vista High School, he drove to Alaska with friends and for four months fished, hunted and experienced it all. He met his wife Sharon while attending San Diego State University, both studying to be teachers. They married in 1965 and headed to a little town called Arcata, where Dave taught speech, debate, history and English at Arcata High School for 29 years. During his time at Arcata High, he earned a Master's degree in speech communications from HSU and owned radio station KCRE in Crescent City with business partner Bob Berkowitz. He also coached the Arcata High golf team and was a CSF advisor. Dave enjoyed the outdoors and an active life and is is remembered for his respect for wildlife and the environment. He connected with nature while fly fishing, and was an early adopter of recycling and composting. He and Sharon were members at Baywood and were long-time HSU Basketball supporters. Dave could see the humor in everyday life. In telling a story or sharing a moment he would often be laughing to the point of tears. He especially enjoyed coaxing people to tell their life story. Dave and Sharon travelled outside the country, and visited every state in the U.S. He also liked hosting pool and poker at his house with friends and neighbors. Dave will be remembered for his kindness, intelligence, honesty and a life well lived. Dave is survived by: wife Sharon of 51 years, son Paul Tecker and wife Sheryl, grandsons David and Ben of Yorba Linda, son Alan Tecker and wife Junko of San Jose, and daughter Anne Colen and husband Jerry, granddaughters Krista and Audrey of Sunnyvale. Family and friends are invited to an informal gathering Saturday, November 26th from 2:00 - 4:00 PM at Baywood Golf & Country Club, 3600 Buttermilk Lane, Arcata. Bring memories and stories to a celebration of his life. In lieu flowers, please instead donate to Betty Chinn's Homeless Fund (bettychinn.org) or Eureka Rescue Mission (eurekarescuemission.org). Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com
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Hello Tecker Family, I'm sorry to hear about David's passing. I have fond memories of my dinner with the Teckers, of David and his smile and know that he will be missed. Your family was always very welcoming to me and I wish you the best.
Greg Cooper
Greg Cooper
January 9, 2017
To Sharon and family, its with great sadness today, i learned of Daves passing. Please accept my deepest sympathies. Dave and i always enjoyed our meetings together, which always contained laughter and good vibes. He was a good man, who loved his wife and children dearly. Rest peacefully my friend. Truly, Mark O Kavajecz
December 6, 2016
Dear Sharon,
We are so sorry about your loss, and are thinking of you. Also remembering the stories you shared about Dave during our days at Alice Birney. Memories are such a good thing to have...
Love,
Judy and Bob Bingham
Judy Bingham
November 27, 2016
Dear Sharon and Family:
I am writing this so everyone will see it not just your family.
I was overwhelmed with outpouring of those people that attended the special tribute to Dave.
Your family was absolutely incredible. I told your oldest son that the mark of a man is how his family turns out and Dave must have been "almost" perfect. Just listening to them talk I realized I had a lot to learn on how to treat others. It was like listening to people talk about ow their life would be made perfect and from the sounds of it both you and Dave gave them the best upbringing you could have ever attempted to do. Your granddaughters were also terrific. When Audrey gets to driving age I want to hire her to show my staff how to treat people!!!!
With his passing he leaves a legacy of kindness and giving that surpasses anyone I have had the pleasure of meeting.
I know Claire would have loved to be with you yesterday but she sent me and for that I am thankful.
Love to you and your wonderful family.
Stan
Stan Smith
November 27, 2016
Dear Sharon,
Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss of a most precious man. Dave was one of the first to greet me as a new teacher at AHS, and I can never forget his warmth and professionalism. In my memory he will always be one of the greatest teachers and role models a person could ever be privileged to have had. I am truly sorry for his passing.
Allan Edwards
November 26, 2016
I will always treasure the memories we have of your whole family, especially Dave.
Jasper Sawatzky
November 23, 2016
Dearest Sharon:
Claire and I are heartsick at your loss of such a wonderful man. We are so sorry that you have to endure his loss. He was a great person and when ever I spoke with him I walked away thinking what a great person he was. Our hearts and prayers are with you in this very trying time.
Our love goes out to you and your family.
Stan & Claire Smith
Stan&Claire Smith
November 22, 2016
Sharon, we have lost touch so long ago but I think of you and Dave so often. He will always be in your heart forever. I always envied the wonderful life the two of you had. Dave was so impressive with his skills such as adding on to your house and remodeling the kitchen. My sincere condolences to you, Paul, Alan, Ann and the rest of your family.
Louise Topjon (Snapp)
November 21, 2016
I lived around the corner from the Teckers until I was 7 years old. One of my strongest memories of Mr. Tecker was when he would rake of the leaves in the back yard for us kids so that we could run and dive into the piles. I remember love and kindness in their home always. I am so sorry for your loss.
Nancy Douglas
November 21, 2016
Anne and Family,
Your father sounded like an amazing man. May your hearts be healed with amazing memories and may his spirit live on in your heart forever.
-Fineline Graphics
November 21, 2016
a loved one
November 21, 2016
What a great friend, colleague, and fishing buddy Dave was to my father. Mr. Tecker was also my speech teacher and I can still recall his bemused look at the (now) ridiculous positions we defended as teen. But he taught us how to express them fearlessly! I pray many cherished remembrances will comfort you along with the same great photos I have of Dave and the gang camping and fishing the lakes of northern California.
Patty Choate-Petersen
November 20, 2016
Patty Petersen
November 20, 2016
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