David Brian Fiero

1950 - 2020

BORN

1950

DIED

2020

About

University of Nebraska Western Washington University

David Fiero Obituary

David Brian Fiero
February 25, 1950 - December 28, 2020
Bellingham, Washington - Bellingham, Washington – At the age of 70, David Fiero passed away after a lengthy battle with Multiple Myeloma and Bladder Cancer. He is survived by his wife Petra Fiero of Bellingham, brother Doug Fiero (Linda) in Portland, OR, and sister Lisa Fiero (David) in Superior, CO.
David Fiero was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 25, 1950, and grew up in Detroit, MI. He graduated from Kalamazoo College in 1972, where he was a leading member of the cross-country team. He earned a MA (1989) and PhD (1997) from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL) in Modern Languages and Literatures (Spanish). He met his wife Petra on her very first day at the University of Regensburg when she was nineteen; the two were linked for nearly forty years by their dedication to educating students in English, Spanish, and German at UNL and Western Washington University in Bellingham.
David pursued his hobby of collecting coins with extraordinary passion. In his doctoral dissertation he was able to combine his love of literature with his tremendous knowledge of the economic circumstances and coinage of the Golden Age in Spain. During the last five years he rewrote his thesis under the title "Tilting at a Numismatic Windmill: The World of Don Quixote in Coins, Medals, Tokens and Banknotes." Much of his time in retirement was spent acquiring and inserting photographs of the precious coins he was writing about in that work.
One of David's favorite verbs was "to explore" ("Let's just explore what's around this next bend"); he encouraged his students to explore different cultures, learn a world language, but most of all, to broaden their horizons by studying abroad. David and Petra travelled to many countries culminating in a trip to Machu Picchu when he was 60 years old. He visited his beloved Spain numerous times and had favorite singer songwriters and authors he returned to repeatedly to explore their latest work.
A voracious reader, David would study the newspaper from front to back and watch the PBS News Hour to know what was going on in the world. He read books in English, Spanish and German on a variety of subjects. An avid cyclist, hiker, and swimmer, David was always on the move. He loved to walk in the forests and get lost in the luscious green of the giant trees of the Pacific Northwest. "Jefe", as he was lovingly called, was also an accomplished guitarist and founded the duo "The Primitives" with Kendall Whitney on the mandolin.
David will be dearly missed by his family and friends, colleagues, and many numismatists. His sister Lisa has graciously offered to compile "Fiero Fables". If you have memories or pictures of David, please send them to her at [email protected].
Memorial contributions can be made to The Arbor Day Foundation https://shop.arborday.org/trees-in-memory or A Living Tribute https://alivingtribute.org/.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Bellingham Herald on Jan. 9, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for David Fiero

4 Entries

Carol Battista

July 30, 2021

I am so sorry to hear this... he was a brilliant friend at the U of Oregon where we both studied Spanish in the 80's. He had so many interests... was a pleasure to know and learn from him.I am sure he was a great professor and joy to his students. My Condolences to his family.

Joani Glasser

March 11, 2021

I am so sad to learn of David's passing. He attended my yoga classes at the Cancer Center for several years until the Covid shut down. He was always kind and welcoming to any new people who came to the class. His compassion for others came easy. Often, he was the there early to help arrange the room if needed, and set up his space. He rode his bicycle to class in all kinds of weather and participated in yoga with enthusiasm. I was always happy to see him and enjoyed knowing him. He brought genuine warmth from his soul to all who met him. When we get back to class, it won't be the same without him there.

Elizabeth “Isabel” Yuschalk

January 28, 2021

I am sorry to hear of the passing of David Fiero. My prayers are with his surviving family and friends.
Senor David was my Spanish instructor at Whatcom Community College, in the 90s, and then also at Western Washington University. I recall Senor David was energized, caring, encouraging, and equipping. He had a lot of energy during class and was a dynamic professor. I remember when he’d have us practice speaking Spanish through skits, and he’d sing in a deep voice, “Otros voluntarios...,” as we’d take turns to go to the front of the class.
When I think of my several Spanish years in college, I think of David Fiero. I’m grateful for that time and for him. He made a positive and impactful difference in my life and education; Senor David Fiero did so for many other’s lives too. He will be missed.
God bless.

Michael Precin

January 8, 2021

Sincere condolences to the Fiero family. David will be missed by many.

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