David Theodore Kahl

1961 - 2016

DAVID THEODORE KAHL David Theodore Kahl, 55, of Chico, died in a car accident Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, after another driver veered into his lane along Highway 99, just north of Chico. Earlier that afternoon he had spoken to his son, Benjamin Kahl, on the phone. His son is quite certain that the last words his father heard were "I love you Dad." Dave was born Jan. 27, 1961, in Los Angeles to Terryl Angela (Carlson) and Theodore Ellsworth Kahl. He was married to Suzanne Cowle, and their son Benjamin was born in 1996. He moved to Chico in the early 1990s and earned his Bachelor's degree. Next, he earned his Master's degree in social work, graduating summa cum laude from Long Beach State University. Dave worked as a social worker for about 20 years, most recently in home health. His job was to match older people with services that would improve their lives and the lives of their families. For more than a year and a half he worked with Solar City, "selling the sun." He didn't consider himself a salesman. Yet, because solar energy was a product he believed in, he was glad when home solar was a good fit for his customers. First and foremost, Dave was a musician, learning to play in his teens. He played in the mornings or while watching his garden grow. He had recently talked about recording more of his music, to have it saved somewhere, especially for Ben. He considered himself a singer/songwriter. Many of his tunes were about challenges in life and thoughts about personal improvement. Many other songs were about his personal relationship with God. When asked, he was more than happy to play at fundraisers and special events, including a dinner for the Torres Shelter, the Safe Space winter shelter, and several others. In September his band "Countless Vain Attempts," played in Chico City Plaza for the "Lives Do Change," celebration in honor of National Recovery Month. Some may remember Dave as a regular player in the early 2000s at the Tea Bar near downtown Chico, or more recently at open mic nights and backyard barbecues. Dave was a punster and would chime in on a conversation with a quick quip. When preparing for a departure, he would often say, "let's make like a tree and leaf." He loved hunting wild mushrooms. He was quite proprietary about locations where he knew the fruit could be found after a cold night and some rain. Just a few weeks before his death he had traveled to his favorite mushroom-hunting spots near Fort Bragg, where he searched mossy, sloped paths for his favorites. When he died, the top shelf of the refrigerator was filled with fresh finds. He and his son had a strong bond and spoke at least weekly. The two loved to travel to the coast where they combed the beaches and dove for abalone. They fished many streams, and relished the rock fish they caught along the ocean shore. Dave dreamed of someday living on the coast, where he said he felt most at peace. His love of nature extended to his own backyard. When he lived in Paradise for 10 years, he planted about a dozen fruit trees and a garden. He also was not shy to ask people for fruit from their fig trees, which he dried and ate with coffee. Dave's background was not without blemish, and he battled alcoholism for many years. He experienced a spiritual transformation in the 1990s through a personal relationship with Jesus. It was at this time he began a deep friendship with his "spiritual mom," Katy Chapman. The two spent many nights at Bible study. Katy remembers him playing guitar on his front porch, within earshot of her doorway. He was a "warrior for God" and wrote and played worship music in Northern California churches. Dave was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous in Paradise and Chico. He sponsored many men and encouraged many more. Survivors include his son Benjamin, currently serving in the U.S. Coast Guard; his spiritual mom, Katy Chapman of Alaska; brother and sister-in-law Russ and Victoria Kahl, of Bangor, Maine: his girlfriend of five years, Heather Hacking, of Chico; his ex-wife, Suzanne of Redding; his cat, Feline Unit; and several nieces and nephews. A "musical memorial" will be held starting at 4 p.m. Saturday at the ARC Pavilion, 2020 Park Ave. Friends and family will share stories and music will be played. Guests are encouraged to bring a side dish to share. Cremation took place at Brusie Funeral Home.