DAVID BERNTSEN

David Lee Berntsen Passed away peacefully at home in Edgewood, WA on August 14th, 2013. Dave was born to Henry and Ida (Hinderlie) Berntsen at his grandparent's home in Parkland, WA on August 28, 1936. He attended schools in Parkland and Clover Park and graduated from Pacific Lutheran College, where he met his wife Carolee. After 12 years as an optical engineer at Boeing, Dave began 31 years of devoted service to Pacific Lutheran University in the Development office, where he founded the Q Club scholarship fund. In 1998, he received the PLU Alumni Heritage Award and later the Q Club Service Award. Dave strived to serve Christ and his fellow man. For several years he scheduled the "outside" visitors for the Interaction Transition Program at McNeil Island Federal Prison, and continued to support inmates' transitions upon their release. A committed Rotarian, Dave served as President and spearheaded local fundraising for the Rotary International "Polio Plus Campaign" for the worldwide eradication of polio and other diseases. He always ended the table prayer with, "Help us be kind and feed the poor". In recent years Dave was a regular helper at the Edgewood Community Food Bank at the Mt. View Community Center. Dave's enthusiasm for life was contagious and evident in the many activities he pursued. Among his favorites was collaborating with friends and family on construction projects, most notably the vacation cabin on Harstine Island which serves as a serene retreat for the extended family. True to his Norwegian heritage, Dave had a love of boating and boats, often finding beauty in discarded vessels and restoring their usefulness. He enjoyed golf, racquetball, basketball, and ping-pong. Over the years, he had many hiking and climbing adventures. A highlight was summiting Mt. Rainier with his sons. Always eager to learn, Dave expanded his horizons through world travels. Close to home, a favorite inspirational destination was Holden Village, a Christian retreat which combined his love of nature and learning. Dave is survived by his grateful, loving family: his wife of 54 years, Carolee (Chindgren); sons Christian and Paul (Jesse); grandchildren Joel, Hope, and Annika; brother Ron (JoAnn); niece Lisa, nephew Mark, and his large extended family. We thank the many who have helped Dave and the family over the past year, the medical professionals including those with Franciscan and Group Health Hospice organizations. We are especially grateful for the loving support from the staff and friends at Mt. View Lutheran Church where Dave was a dedicated member for over 50 years. To honor Dave's passion for quality education, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Chindgren Berntsen Endowed Scholarship Fund at PLU office of Development, Tacoma, WA 98447. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 25th at 3 pm at Mt. View Lutheran Church, 3503 122nd Ave. E., Edgewood, WA 98372. Directions at www.mtviewlutheran.org