David Pahnke

In doing some research on the Aleutian Islands where I lived in the 1980s, I remembered Dave Pahnke's name. I believe he saved my life. He visited me as a very young woman (19) in the cabin where I lived and helped extricate me from a difficult situation. I don't know for sure, but many years later, I put the pieces together in a different way and understood that he had helped me without being asked. I'll always be grateful. He was a good man then, handsome with a strength of character that...

My deepest sympathy to you both Laurie and Bridger. Dave will be missed by many.

Laurie and Bridger, we went to the Kahiltna last weekend, our first trip out there since September. We have been concerned about all the snow and the roof so decided to head out last Friday. We had to park at Moose Creek because the road is only plowed to Amber and it is really narrow. After Amber is is a pretty narrow trail and hardly used after the Neil Lake turnoff. It was a great trip out but when we got to our turnoff Mike decided to go ahead and make a trail to our place. He only...

I graduated with Dave from Winona Senior High School in 1959. Althought we never saw each other again I will always remenber what a great guy he was. Dave had a wonderful sense of humor. Dave was the best. My sympathy to Laurie and Bridger and to all of Dave's family and friends.

Hello Dave,
I am so glad I got to see, hug and talk to you in September. Your family is family to me and I shall never forget all the great trips in skiffs arond Unalaska, many silly games, guitar strumming day and nights. Tsunami beer feasts, nobody could make anyone feel safer than you. I always felt comfortable talking to you, and, leaving my sweet daughters with you and Laurie. The trip that stands out is when we hung out at Hog Island, cooked rabbit, mussels, crab and baidarki over a...

Laurie,
My thoughts and prayers are with you through this dark time in your life. The love the two of you had was beautiful and will live on through eternity. I did not get to know your son Bridger but from what I have heard, he is a wonderful combination of the two of you and Dave was so proud of the both of you. Dave will always be with you and Bridger and I believe with all my heart that you will see him again. Stay strong Laurie. Love, Margaret

Laurie & Bridger,
" Perhaps they are not stars but openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines upon us thus they let us know they are happy and are with us forever" So sad to hear about Dave, he left behind many people that loved him but they will keep his memory alive. God Bless. Lois B. and Bobby York

Dear Laurie and Bridger, I'm so sorry to hear about Dave's passing...an unfinished life. And thank you Rande for posting the picture of Dave & Bridger, I've been tearing my house apart looking for my Mommas' (Aunt Julie) pictures from her last trip to Unalaska. She was so excited for you and I remember her showing us pictures of the 'Cow, rocker and highchair' that Dave had created. She thought Dave was a genius in his creations. Again, I'm so very sorry for your loss and our thoughts and...

I watched my sister Laurie and Dave fall in love here in Unalaska. It was many many years ago, but they complimented each other. They brought out the best in each other. There are soo many great Dave stories, I'll try to keep it short. I remember fishing on the Makushin for halibut with hand lines and circle hooks, which really hurt if it was over a 40 lb. fish. Catching many rock fish at Devilfish Point, Going to Makushin Bay on the Christe II with another boat - the Makushin which...