David A. Hobel

DAVID A. HOBEL

David A. Hobel, beloved husband, brother, Mankind Project brother, and friend, 68, passed away on Thursday, December 3rd due to a car accident in Taos Canyon. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, to Florence Bena and John Allen Hobel. David was one of the "3 hobos" as he and his two older sisters, Mary and Jeanne, affectionately called themselves. After graduation from East High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army on October 15, 1972, and served for 7 years. David first served at Fort Lewis, Washington, from 1972-1975, where he earned an Army Commendation Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. He attended Welding School in Tacoma, Washington and Airframe Repair School at Fort Eustis, Virginia. After that, he worked as an Airframe Repairman at Fort Richardson, Alaska until he was Honorably Discharged in July of 1979 with the rank of Sergeant and meritorious achievement and exemplary performance.
In 1979, David followed his sister Jeanne to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he worked as a carpenter. He worked with Wood Design in Santa Fe for 18 years and became a Master Carpenter and Cabinet Installer and a jack of all trades. David strove for perfection in all he did and was the "caretaker" of the shop; he maintained the dust collector and other machines necessary for production.
David was a brilliant and talented craftsman, able to figure out the complicated projects from spiral to visually unsupported staircases and beyond. David was that little boy who took Mom's toaster apart, but then made it better. He made everything better. He was visionary and inspired in all three houses he completely remodeled during his life; carpentry was his true calling. David was married twice during these years. David's car passion was the 1965 Corvair he rebuilt, he was always sad he let it go.
In the early 2000s, David was initiated into the Mankind Project, a men's initiation group that ran Men's Support Circles in the Southwest area. He became a skilled facilitator and dedicated staffer. David's natural and intuitive facilitation was highly valued and respected by many members over the years.
In 2008, he met his present wife, Valerie Morningstar of Taos, New Mexico, at a Men's Celebration Circle in Santa Fe, as she was a member of the sister group called Woman Within. They were joined in marriage in 2010 and lived in Santa Fe until 2015 when they moved to Taos, New Mexico.
David will be remembered for his quick wit, kind generous spirit, fun puns, hard work, and his gentle soul.
He is survived by his wife, Valerie Morningstar and their dog, Tessa, of Taos, NM, his two sisters Mary Jenkins of Phoenix, AZ, and her children and their families, and Jeanne Trachta of Cedar Crest, NM, and her children and families.
In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the Southwest Reservation Aid 1310 E. Riverview Drive, Phoenix, AZ 1-800-811-6955 SWRAprogram.org.
David was passionately committed to Refuse, ReUse, and Recycle, especially the ReUse in his building practices. Please do so in his memory.
There will be a private celebration of David's life.